Electrical Engineer - Crew Avionics

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 Electrical Engineer, Crew Avionics, reporting to the Manager of Human Interface Avionics, 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:

• Own hardware from “cradle to grave”, coordinating with other teams to rapidly iterate on and deliver quality avionics products. You will own your hardware products in both success and in failure, though in the case of the latter you can expect support and resources rather than reprimand.

• Translate high-level operational requirements into detailed electrical specifications and design documents.

• Perform trade studies and analyses to select optimal components, technologies, and design approaches.

• Ensure that development and testing is carried out in a safe and controlled manner, prioritizing the safety of employees and the astronaut crew above all else.

• Design and develop complex multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs) for flight hardware, adhering to rigorous space-grade standards.

• Schematic capture, component selection, and layout for high-reliability boards in a punishing space environment.

• Work with the PCB layout design team to help with the layout phase of design, and occasionally step up and layout a coupon or even flight PCB yourself

• Perform signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC analysis to ensure robust designs.

• Analysis & Simulation:

• Conduct circuit analysis, worst-case analysis, fault tolerance analysis, and derating analysis.

• Utilize simulation tools (e.g., SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink) for design verification and optimization.

• Test & Verification:

• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for PCBs and integrated systems.

• Troubleshoot and debug hardware, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.

• Support environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, radiation, EMC) and flight qualification campaigns.

• Documentation & Review:

• Generate clear and concise design documentation, test procedures, and reports.

• Participate in design reviews and provide technical guidance to junior engineers.

• Participate in design reviews for peer’s PCB designs.

• Collaboration:

• Work closely with cross-functional teams including software, mechanical, systems engineering, manufacturing, test, and operations to ensure seamless cooperation on bringing the design to its final integration, flight, and decommissioning.

• Communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.

• Some experience in electrical engineering, with a focus on system and PCB design.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, KiCad).

• Experience with analog and digital circuit design, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and communication interfaces (e.g., I2C, SPI, Ethernet, RS-422).

• Understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC principles.

• Experience with simulation tools (eg. SPICE) to evaluate design decisions and de-risk new circuit designs before spending the money on hardware.

• Experience with hardware testing, troubleshooting, and debugging.

• Familiarity with audio electronics (speakers/microphones/amplifiers

• Experience with high-reliability/fault-tolerant electronics for aerospace or defense applications.

• Familiarity with space-grade components and radiation effects.

• Experience with human-machine interface (HMI) design principles.

• Experience designing audio systems - whether professionally or for your home movie theater!

• Experience designing lighting systems - whether professionally or for your spooky Halloween LED display!

• Familiarity with complex system architectures.

• Experience with environmental testing for flight hardware.

• Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python) for automation and data analysis.

• Hands-on engineering - equal willingness to work at your desktop computer, with a soldering iron in the lab, and with a broom to clean up afterwards.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, and team-oriented environment.

• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

• Ability to independently but also collaboratively as a teammate to achieve ambitious goals.

• Willing to make mistakes, take responsibilities, work independently and be transparent about your work

Additional Requirements:

• Able to lift 25 lbs unassisted.

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Pay Range:

• Electrical Design Engineer I: $103,000

• Electrical Design Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468

• Senior Electrical Design Engineer: $137,760 - $195,552

Pay Range: California

$112,340—$195,552 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 BENEFITSBase 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 OPPORTUNITYVast 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.