Senior Solar Array Test Engineer - Spaceflight Hardware

Vast Space Llc.; Long Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 112,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Disability insurance

401(k)

ClassPass credits

Spring Health

Free meals

Job summary

Vast is seeking a Solar Array Test Engineer to own the qualification program for terrestrial/COTS photovoltaic cell technologies used in space. You will develop tests at coupon through system levels and coordinate campaigns including TVAC, vibration, and life-cycle testing.

The role requires 5+ years in hardware testing for satellites or aerospace systems, plus experience with data acquisition, MATLAB/Python, and test documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, physics, or related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in hardware testing for satellites, spacecraft, or high-reliability aerospace systems.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation (thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, LVDTs), and test automation.
• Hands‑on experience planning and executing environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, or acoustic) on flight or qualification hardware.
• Demonstrated experience authoring test plans, procedures, and test reports.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple parallel test campaigns and maintain meticulous documentation.
• Working knowledge of photovoltaic device physics and space‑environment degradation mechanisms.
• Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent.
• Effective communicator who thrives in a hands‑on, hardware‑rich environment and is comfortable working across engineering disciplines and with technician teams

Responsibilities

• Own the qualification program for non-space-heritage (terrestrial/COTS) photovoltaic cell technologies for space use
• Develop, author, and maintain test plans, procedures, and reports for solar array hardware at the coupon, panel, wing, and system levels
• Plan and execute test campaigns including TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, acoustic, static load, deployment, and life-cycle testing
• Plan and execute functional testing of solar array hardware, including flash testing, EL imaging, isolation resistance, and IV curve characterization
• Define test criteria, instrumentation requirements, data acquisition configurations, and test-as-you-fly rationale for all solar array verification activities
• Coordinate and oversee testing at internal facilities and external labs
• Analyze test data, document results, identify anomalies, and lead troubleshooting and root cause investigations
• Determine applicable standards including AIAA S-111, S-112, SMC-S-016, and program-specific verification requirements
• Collaborate with solar array design, structures, thermal, power electronics, and mission assurance engineers for design verification
• Support development and buildout of internal test capabilities, fixturing, and ground support equipment for solar array testing
• Present test readiness reviews, test results, and lessons learned at design reviews and to cross-functional stakeholders
• Author and maintain verification documentation through the product’s design lifecycle

Skills

Hardware testing

Data acquisition

MATLAB

Python

Test planning

Vibration testing

Education

B.S. in mechanical engineering

Tools

NX

Teamcenter

Job description

Vast is seeking a Solar Array Test Engineer to own the qualification program for terrestrial/COTS photovoltaic cell technologies used in space. You will develop tests at coupon through system levels and coordinate campaigns including TVAC, vibration, and life-cycle testing.

The role requires 5+ years in hardware testing for satellites or aerospace systems, plus experience with data acquisition, MATLAB/Python, and test documentation.