Vast Logo

Vast

Principal Radiation Effects Engineer

Reposted 16 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Long Beach, CA
160K-245K Annually
Senior level
Long Beach, CA
160K-245K Annually
Senior level
Lead radiation effects engineering for spacecraft design. Oversee testing, guide requirements, and collaborate across teams to ensure safety and project success.
The summary above was generated by AI

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026. 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 Principal Radiation Effects Engineer, reporting to the Director, RF Engineering, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Coordinate and oversee proton beam and heavy ion tests in support of Vast avionics development.
  • Guide the development of Radiation Effects and survivability requirements for Vast spacecraft.
  • Guide the derivation and distribution of in space environmental requirements.
  • Tailor industry standards such as EEE-INST-002 for Vast spacecraft and missions.
  • Ensure the Radiation Effects team meets project deadlines and company objectives.
  • Foster a strong interdisciplinary relationship with other teams that rely on the Radiation Effects team to be successful
  • Exemplify a culture of excellence, extreme ownership, and safety. Enable engineers to take responsibility for the system level impact of their work.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in electrical engineering, physics, or related discipline
  • 10+ years of experience working in Radiation Effects or similar role

Preferred Skills & Experience:

  • Ms or PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or related discipline
  • Experience with in space charging for spacecraft, plasma, and atomic oxygen
  • Prior experience in an electronics, semiconductors, or electrical systems design role
  • Experience with software development in Matlab, Python, etc
  • Experience with computer architecture & design
  • Experience developing infrastructure for radiation test (procedures, reporting, equipment, etc).
  • Strong sense of accountability and integrity with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to teach people of a multitude of education and industry backgrounds about Radiation Effects.

Additional Requirements:

  • Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
  • Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
  • Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
  • Specific certifications, as appropriate

Pay Range:

Staff Radiation Effects Engineer: $160,000 - $200,000

Principal Radiation Effects Engineer: $184,900 - $245,100

Salary Range: California

$160,000$245,100 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, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.

Top Skills

Matlab
Python
HQ

Vast Long Beach, California, USA Office

2851 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA, United States, 90755

Similar Jobs

3 Hours Ago
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
138K-207K Annually
Senior level
138K-207K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Robotics • Security • Software • Defense
As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer, you'll develop high-performance RF software algorithms, collaborate with digital systems engineers, and ensure seamless integration with the Anduril Lattice ecosystem, all while maintaining an active security clearance.
Top Skills: DirectxFpgaHaskellLinuxMatlabNixNixosOpenglRustVerilogVhdlVulkan
3 Hours Ago
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
168K-252K Annually
Senior level
168K-252K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Robotics • Security • Software • Defense
Lead the development of vehicle control systems and embedded software for drones, overseeing integration, testing, and operational support.
Top Skills: BaremetalC++CanCommunication BusesDevice DriversEthernetI2CLinuxRtosRustSpiUart
3 Hours Ago
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
142K-213K Annually
Mid level
142K-213K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Robotics • Security • Software • Defense
Design and support integration of subsystems, conduct testing and analysis to ensure compliance with specifications, and troubleshoot product issues. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop autonomous flight systems.
Top Skills: AltiumDmmElectronic Cad ToolsGitGitJIRAOscilloscopesPcb Design

What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene

Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.

Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
  • Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
  • Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account