Avionics Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Array

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vast in Long Beach, CA seeks an Avionics Manufacturing Engineer for solar arrays to bring hardware from design to production. You will work with cross-functional teams to develop manufacturing plans, tooling, and assembly/test procedures, whilst supporting environmental testing and quality controls.

The role involves collaboration with suppliers, driving process improvements, and mentoring teammates to ensure on-time delivery of high-quality avionics hardware for space stations and satellites.

Qualifications

• Experience in avionic hardware manufacturing for space systems.
• Capability to develop and document manufacturing processes for solar arrays.
• Proven ability to lead RCCA and implement corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design teams to optimize manufacturability of solar arrays.
• Develop manufacturing processes and work instructions for production.
• Create tooling and fixtures to improve assembly and testing.
• Support environmental and deployment testing across campaigns.
• Lead root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions (RCCA).
• Drive quality, cost, and schedule improvements in production.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Avionics

Root cause analysis

Quality assurance

Tooling design

Assembly and test

Design for manufacturability

Supplier collaboration

Tools

RCCA tools

Job description

Avionics Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Array

Long Beach, California, United States

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 Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Array reporting to the Avionics Manufacturing Manager, to support the development of the 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.

As an Avionics Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Arrayyou will play a unique and crucial role in bringing solar arrays and other avionics hardware from design into full-scale production for our portfolio of space products. Partnering with cross‑functional teams of design/test engineers and technicians, you will drive this hardware through assembly and test, ensuring it meets the highest standards of quality and reliability while contributing to the overall success of the business

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with design teams to provide professional feedback on the manufacturability and assembly processes of solar arrays for crewed stations and satellites.
• Support new product introduction by developing the manufacturing processes needed for solar array production and integration.
• Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent, accurate production of solar arrays and other avionics hardware.
• Design and implement tooling to improve production and test processes, aid inspection, and ensure safety.
• Support environmental and deployment testing of solar arrays throughout development, acceptance, and qualification campaigns.
• Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges by conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions (RCCA).
• Drive process and product improvements that meet integration timelines and improve efficiency, quality, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high‑quality components, reviewing and approving their manufacturing processes.
• Perform hands‑on assembly, integration, and testing, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards.
• Participate in design reviews, offering insights that improve the manufacturability and reliability of this hardware.
• Partner with quality assurance teams to establish and maintain rigorous quality control processes for the manufacturing organization.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues on manufacturing best practices, and collaborate across the team on documentation review and product support.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall product quality.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to drive innovation within the company.

Minimum Qualifications: