Senior RF Test Engineer

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Equity participation

401(k) retirement plan

Generous PTO

Onsite meals and snacks

Employee wellness programs

Job summary

Vast, based in Long Beach, California, seeks a Senior RF Test Engineer to join the RF Test Engineering team for the Haven program. The role focuses on developing automated RF test systems for both component and vehicle level applications, collaborating with RF and antenna engineers to enable rigorous testing for space hardware.

The position requires 2+ years in RF design/test, hands-on experience with RF test equipment, and software development in Python, Matlab, and C/C++.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in ECE, EE, Physics, or related STEM
• 2+ years in an RF design and/or test role
• Experience with RF test equipment and software development (Python/Matlab/C/C++)

Responsibilities

• Work closely with RF and antenna engineers to design and build automated RF test systems for component and vehicle level applications.
• Develop test automation software for instruments, data processing, test sequencing, and reporting.
• Define RF test system requirements and specifications.
• Support spacecraft RF test activities such as OTA, EMI/EMC, antenna pattern measurement, and system checkouts.
• Hands-on environmental test for RF hardware (thermal cycling, TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC, humidity) and spacecraft integration tests in cleanrooms.

Skills

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in ECE/EE/Physics

Master's degree in ECE/EE/Physics

Tools

Spectrum Analyzers

Vector Network Analyzers

Signal Generators

Power Meters

Communications Test Systems

Python

Matlab

C/C++

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 a Senior RF Test Engineer, reporting to the Manager, RF Test Engineering, 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 Beachlocation.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with RF and antenna engineers to design and build state of the art automated test systems for component level and vehicle level applications.
• Test automation software development for test instruments, data processing, test sequencing, and reporting.
• Define RF test system requirements and specifications.
• Support spacecraft RF test activities such as OTA, EMI/EMC, antenna pattern measurement, and system checkouts.
• Hands on environmental test for RF hardware (thermal cycling, TVAC, random vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, humidity, etc) as well as supporting spacecraft integration tests in cleanroom facilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in ECE, EE, Physics, or related STEM discipline.
• 2+ years in an RF design and/or test role.
• Experience with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Network Analyzers, Signal Generators, Communications Test Systems, Power Meters, etc.
• Experience with software development: Python, Matlab, C/C++, etc.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Master’s Degree in ECE, EE, Physics, or related stem discipline.
• Mission oriented mindset with a strong desire for team success.
• Comfortable communicating deeply technical topics to a wide variety of audiences.
• Familiarity with IP networking and ethernet connected test instruments.
• Experience with serial communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, and I2C, RS-422/485.
• Understanding of RF link budgets, thermal noise, noise figure, EVM, P1dB, Spurs, and Rx sensitivity.
• Familiarity with antenna testing concepts such as gain, directivity, EIRP, and antenna patterns.
• Understanding of RF schematics and RF electronics manufacturing.
• Experience with GNU Radio and software-defined radios (SDRs) and GPS receivers.
• Understanding of RF modulation schemes such as BPSK, QPSK, GMSK, APSK, TDMA, FDMA, etc.
• Experience processing large frequency and time-domain sets of data
• Familiarity with space rated avionics test standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000, MIL-STD-461, etc.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Pay Range:

Pay Range: California

$120,054 - $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 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.