Electrical Engineer, Avionics E-2 Hawthorne, CA

Vast Space Llc.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical/Dental/Vision

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

Vast is seeking an Electrical Engineer, Avionics to join the Hawthorne-based team, reporting to the Director of E-2 Engineering. You will help create high-performance avionics for space hardware, focusing on production efficiency and cost-reduction while advancing flight engine design from development to production.

You will design multi-layer PCBs, perform tests, and translate requirements into detailed specifications, with exposure to space-grade standards and a collaborative engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field is required.
• Industry experience in electrical engineering with focus on system and PCB design.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop complex multi-layer PCBs for flight hardware, adhering to space-grade standards.
• Schematic capture, component selection, and layout for high-reliability boards.
• Translate high-level requirements into detailed electrical specifications and design documents.
• Define and execute avionics test plans and setups.
• Ensure safe and controlled development and testing processes.

Skills

PCB design

Python

Git

CMake

GNU tools

CI/CD

JIRA

Bitbucket

Confluence

Github

Embedded systems

Network programming

Telemetry systems

Power supplies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PCB Design Software

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Digital multimeters

Job description

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, Avionics reporting to the Director of E-2 Engineering, to help create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers, while optimizing for production and low cost. In this role, you will join a team with exciting momentum that has produced and successfully tested fully integrated engine development samples. You will be a key member who will help complete the flight engine design and transition the system from development to production.

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

Responsibilities

• Responsible Engineer for avionics boards, wiring harnesses, instrumentation, and power electronics on the engin
• 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
• 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
• Define and execute avionics test plans and setups
• Ensure that development and testing is carried out in a safe and controlled manner, prioritizing the safety above all else
• Communicate effectively with the entire team to regularly provide updates on progress and issues

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• Industry experience in electrical engineering, with a focus on system and PCB design

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
• 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 overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted

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.

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.

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.

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 be considered for deemed export licensing.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Vast’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.