Senior Systems Engineer - Satellites

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 a Senior Avionics Systems Engineer , reporting to the Senior Manager, Avionics and Power Systems , to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of high power satellites.

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

Responsibilities:

Function as responsible engineer for avionics systems across design, integration, test, launch, and operations

Define detailed systems design, including system interfaces, consumable budgets, harness and channel capabilities, hardware capabilities, reliability and fault tolerance compliance, vehicle risk assessments, and configuration change management

Collaborate with a cross-functional engineering team to define requirements, lead systems trades, and scope designs as they move from concept to flight production

Architect and inform autonomous behaviors, vehicle modes, and fault responses to comply with vehicle mission requirements

Develop system-level verification plans for integrated flight hardware to verify test coverage and vehicle flight readiness

Evaluate vehicle health and perform real-time troubleshooting to drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions

Create and maintain system designs, processes, and validation techniques to improve reliability and streamline production

Support process improvement by identifying recurring issues, implementing design feedback, and enabling higher system reliability

Travel to launch sites or test facilities as needed to support operational activities

Mentor and support fellow engineers, fostering strong technical development across the team

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline

5+ years of professional or project experience with avionics design, analysis, system level integration, and/or unit level testing

Experience with systems engineering principles and processes as they relate to spacecraft development

Experience with lifecycle development as it relates to space systems, including requirement definition, identifying design solutions, integration, validation and verification, qualification, and operation

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Experience defining, managing, and verifying flight software interfaces

Experience with system design and test of subsystems like power, GNC, RF, and propulsion interfaces

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

Understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyze and improve test coverage

Competence with electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, power supplies, etc.)

Ability to effectively communicate technical topics to a wide variety of audiences

Ability to creatively solve problems and weigh against multi-disciplinary requirements while assessing risk and making design and development decisions with incomplete data

Self-motivated with strong learning, multi-tasking, organizational, communication and documentation skills

Strong sense of accountability and integrity with excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to work autonomously and thrive in a fast paced environment

Additional Requirements:

Ability to travel up to 10% travel to support launch campaigns

Comfortable balancing several projects at any given time with the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction

Pay Range: California

$120,540 — $209,520 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.

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.