Vast Logo

Vast

Avionics Test Engineer

Posted One Month Ago
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
136K-176K Annually
Senior level
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
136K-176K Annually
Senior level
Designs, builds, commissions, and troubleshoots automated avionics test systems for human-rated space stations. Develops component and system test cases, validates results, leads design reviews, documents systems, and supports operator handover. The role also contributes to automated test framework architecture, Hardware-in-the-Loop interfaces, and team-wide debugging and coaching. It requires collaboration with responsible engineers and subject matter experts across spacecraft development.
The summary above was generated by AI

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for an Avionics Test Engineer, reporting to the Manager of Avionics Testing, to support the development of the automated testing systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities: 

  • Design, build, and commission test systems for avionics systems and associated electronics hardware
  • Work with Responsible Engineers across the organization to capture test requirements for avionics test systems
  • Develop component and system level test cases, implement them on test systems and validate their outputs with internal stakeholders
  • Perform troubleshooting and debug of avionics test systems
  • Lead test system design reviews for avionics test systems
  • Lead and coach efforts to troubleshooting and debug efforts across the wider team
  • Produce documentation for test systems and support handover to test operators
  • Support architecting the automated test framework for Vast overall, and lead local efforts to implement on avionics test systems
  • Work with subject matter experts to develop and implement interfaces to co-simulation strategies for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) applications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other hard science
  • 2+ years of post bachelor’s experience working with and developing hardware test systems
  • 1+ years experience working with either C++ or python
  • Experience operating and maintaining linux systems, including confident use of command line tools
  • Experience designing and building systems with a modular DAQ ecosystem (e.g. NI, Weidmuller, Bechoff)
  • Familiarity with basic electrical and wiring concepts including grounding and electrical safety

Preferred Skills & Experience:

  • Strong documentation and communication skills
  • Hands-on experience with product testing
  • Experience with testing protocols and standards relevant to space systems
  • Experience coordinating and/or supervising the outputs of other engineers
  • Experience developing applications in python
  • Familiarity with Git, Cmake, and GNU tools
  • Knowledge of CI/CD and issue tracking tools such as the Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence) and Github
  • Understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers
  • Experience with Embedded Systems
  • Fault-tolerant and safety-critical software design
  • Experience developing software for complex systems such as spacecraft, aircraft or autonomous vehicles
  • Network programming experience
  • Experience working with satellite communications or telemetry systems
  • Familiarity with power supplies, electronic loads, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters

Additional Requirements:

  • Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Pay Range: California
$135,800—$176,400 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

 

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: 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.

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.

HQ

Vast Long Beach, California, USA Office

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

Vast Hawthorne, California, USA Office

Hawthorne, United States

Similar Jobs at Vast

5 Days Ago
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
121K-183K Annually
Junior
121K-183K Annually
Junior
3D Printing • Aerospace • Hardware • Software • Manufacturing
Develop and operate automated avionics test systems for human-rated space stations. Responsibilities include creating system-level test cases, developing HITL assets, troubleshooting hardware, automating test workflows with Python, analyzing anomalies, supporting mission operator training, validating interfaces, and documenting test systems. The role collaborates with flight software, mission operations, responsible engineers, and system owners to support avionics validation and on-orbit issue resolution.
Top Skills: BeckhoffBitbucketC++Ci/CdCmakeComputer NetworksConfluenceDockerGitGitGnu ToolsHardware-In-The-Loop (Hitl)JIRALinuxModular DaqNiPythonSatellite CommunicationsTelemetry SystemsWeidmuller
One Month Ago
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
135K-227K Annually
Entry level
135K-227K Annually
Entry level
3D Printing • Aerospace • Hardware • Software • Manufacturing
Designs and maintains Python-based automated test systems for flight-critical avionics hardware. Responsibilities include integrating instrumentation and data acquisition equipment, managing test software through qualification and acceptance, troubleshooting anomalies, performing root cause analysis, documenting systems, enhancing automation frameworks, conducting code reviews, and collaborating with hardware, avionics, and test engineering teams. The role supports human-rated space station systems and may require evening or weekend work during mission milestones.
Top Skills: AngularAWSC++Ci/CdData Acquisition (Daq)DhcpEthernetGitLinuxNational InstrumentsPythonPyvisaReactScpiTcpUdp
One Month Ago
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
121K-183K Annually
Senior level
121K-183K Annually
Senior level
3D Printing • Aerospace • Hardware • Software • Manufacturing
Develops and validates automated hardware-in-the-loop test systems for satellite and human-rated space-station avionics. Responsibilities include designing test assets, implementing system-level test cases, integrating and commissioning equipment, troubleshooting, leading design reviews, documenting systems, and mentoring engineers. Requires hardware test-system experience, Linux proficiency, electrical test equipment knowledge, root-cause analysis, and technical documentation skills. Preferred experience includes Python or C++, embedded systems, automated testing, space-system protocols, networks, CI/CD, and modular data-acquisition systems.
Top Skills: BeckhoffBitbucketC++Ci/CdCmakeConfluenceDigital MultimetersElectronic LoadsGitGitGnu ToolsHardware-In-The-Loop (Hil/Hitl)JIRALinuxLogic AnalyzersModular Daq SystemsNiOscilloscopesPower SuppliesPythonWeidmuller

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