Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

Vast Space LLC; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% medical coverage

Generous paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Free meals and snacks

Job summary

Vast Space LLC is seeking an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer to enhance rocket engine test operations. In this full-time position based in Mojave, the engineer will support test engineers by maintaining and calibrating instrumentation systems essential for test stands.

The ideal candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and have at least 2 years of experience in instrumentation. The role offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including health coverage and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in instrumentation and controls.
• Ability to read technical documentation like wire diagrams.
• Experience with strain gauges and 4-20mA loop sensors.

Responsibilities

• Maintain test stand instrumentation and control systems.
• Generate and maintain electrical schematics.
• Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems.

Skills

Instrumentation and controls equipment design

PLC experience

National Instruments hardware

LabVIEW programming

Coding in Python

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

NX

Teamcenter

Job description

Overview

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next‑generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware‑rich and low‑cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi‑module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all‑in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time.

Position

Instrumentation and Controls Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager, Engineering (E‑2), full‑time, exempt, located at the Mojave site.

Responsibilities

• Support test engineers by maintaining all test stand instrumentation and control systems on all rocket engine and structure test stands.
• Generate and maintain electrical schematics for all test stand instrumentation and control systems.
• Manage all instrumentation calibration records.
• Manage all instrumentation checkout and calibration equipment.
• Coordinate recalibration of all instrumentation.
• Work alongside electrical technicians to build, test, and maintain electrical systems on rocket engines and rocket engine test stands.
• Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and software related systems on the test stands.
• Implement continuous improvements to improve safety and test site productivity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in the operation, design and development of instrumentation and controls equipment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with PLCs.
• Experience with National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW.
• Experience with coding languages (Python, Matlab, Visual Basic).
• Experience with strain gauges, IEPE accelerometers, TCs, RTDs and 4‑20mA loop sensors.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret technical documentation such as wire diagrams, sensor data sheets, and equipment manuals.
• Experience with NX and Teamcenter.
• Experience with JIRA / Confluence.
• Read & interpret Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, along with effective teamwork abilities.
• Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast‑paced, rapidly changing work environment.

Additional Requirements

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

Pay Range

• Instrumentation and Controls Engineer I: $86,000 – $120,000
• Instrumentation and Controls Engineer II: $110,000 – $155,000

Compensation & 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, and access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% 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; other discounts and perks; and 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 be 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.