Senior Infrastructure Engineer

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Vast is seeking a Senior Infrastructure Engineer to help build a modern IT infrastructure for artificial gravity space stations. This role presents an opportunity to affect the future of space exploration significantly by ensuring robust, secure, and efficient IT systems. Ideal candidates will have strong technical backgrounds in networking and cloud infrastructure, as well as a proactive approach to supporting cross-functional teams. Join us in paving the way for humanity's future in space, with responsibilities that span from security improvements to significant project deliveries.

Benefits

100% medical, dental, and vision coverage

Flexible paid time off

Paid parental leave

Short and long-term disability insurance

Life insurance

Access to 401(k) retirement plan

Company equity

Office snacks and meals

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience designing, deploying, and managing complex critical infrastructure.
• 5+ years of experience in Infrastructure as Code and Cloud Deployment.

Responsibilities

• Assess IT security posture and identify areas for improvement.
• Support employees with their technical support needs.
• Design and standardize best practices for IT infrastructure.

Skills

Networking protocols

Linux

Windows

OSX

Automation scripts

Cloud infrastructure

Communication skills

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Microsoft Azure

AWS

GCP

Job description

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a Senior Infrastructure Engineer, reporting to the IT Infrastructure Manager, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. As a Senior Infrastructure Engineer, you will have the opportunity to build a modern IT infrastructure from the ground up. We build our systems cloud-first, with an emphasis on researching and deploying the latest technologies and paradigms. You will identify opportunities to improve and expand our IT infrastructure to enhance speed, security, and ease of use. You will have the opportunity to plan, build, test, deliver, and maintain projects from start to finish. Likewise, you will prioritize establishing our IT function to be an ally to enhance employee productivity while balancing security.

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

Responsibilities

• Continually assess Vast’s IT security posture and identify areas for improvement across people, processes, and technology
• Work closely with functions across the organization to anticipate and support the needs of enterprise systems, engineering systems, flight and ground software, mission operations and others.
• Support Vast employees with their day-to-day technical support needs
• Design, document, and standardize best practices for IT infrastructure
• Provision new hardware, infrastructure, and software

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years experience designing, deploying, and managing complex critical infrastructure
• 5+ years of experience in Infrastructure as Code and Cloud Deployment

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Strong proficiency in networking protocols and infrastructure (Ethernet, TCP, IP, HTTP, DNS, ICMP, DNS, DHCP, IPv4, Routing, LAN/WAN)
• Strong operating systems' proficiency including Linux, Windows, and OSX
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, architect solutions, and implement best practices for cloud infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts using tools like Terraform and Ansible to streamline deployment processes and enhance operational efficiency
• Proficiency with public cloud systems (Microsoft Azure, AWS, GCP) and Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) networks with cloud interconnect (peering)
• Experience designing, building, and implementing Single Sign-on (SSO) systems (SAML/OIDC)
• Ability to take initiative without specific direction to accomplish goals
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with an emphasis on the ability to communicate technical concepts in a way those unfamiliar with them can understand
• Experience working with ITAR, NIST, FIPS, and FedRAMP compliant systems
• Experience writing scripts to automate routine tasks

Pay Range

• Senior Infrastructure Engineer $142,000 - $200,000
• Staff Infrastructure Engineer $164,000 - $230,000

Salary Range: California

$142,000—$230,000 USD

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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.