Test Engineer

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a Test Engineer , reporting to the Director, Structures Test, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. If you join us in this position, you will assist in development, qualification, and acceptance testing for the Haven-1 program. This role is for a hands-on person with great attention to detail and excellent people skills.

This will be a full-time , exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

• Work with Responsible Engineers (RE) to design, prepare, and execute test campaigns. This includes the creation of new test stands and/or operation of existing resources


• Own and perform all necessary design, analysis, and project management from start to finish to make test concepts a reality


• Conduct PDRs (Preliminary Design Reviews), CDRs (Critical Design Reviews), and TRRs (Test Readiness Reviews) before all design/tests are started


• Incorporate continuous learning/improvement and share it with your team members


• Work under the direction of the Structures & Mechanism Test Manager to develop and execute testing on primary / secondary structures of the Haven-1 Space Station


• Proactive problem-solving skills such as failure analysis and root cause investigation


• Adhere to, enforce, and improve the test processes and best practices of Vast and the test organization


• Produce professional and traceable documentation, including electrical, mechanical, and fluid schematics of the test systems

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 1-3 years of engineering experience


• 2+ years of experience in a 'hands-on' engineering environment (Test, Launch, Manufacturing, Etc.)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Ability to design and perform product testing based on the requirements provided in SMC-S-016, GEVS NASA-STD-7000a, MIL STD 810G. etc.


• Own assembly, checkouts and continuous improvement of test stands


• Design work in recent versions of NX, Teamcenter


• Analysis work in recent versions of Ansys, Femap/Nastran, Abaqus


• Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5)


• Familiarity with Weld Sizing, Hand Calculations and Simulation


• Limited experience writing, releasing and executing test plans/procedures in collaboration with Responsible Engineers


• Experience in structural design and analysis of test fixtures to meet test requirements

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to travel to our Mojave Test site (up to 20% travel)


• Must be able to work varying hours/shifts and available for extended hours as well as weekends when needed


• Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and be able to maneuver in tight spaces; physically able to handle items weighing up to 25lbs (unassisted)

Pay Range:

• Test Engineer II: $110,000 - $142,100


• Senior Test Engineer: $135,800 - $176,400

Pay Range: California

$110,000 - $176,400 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.