Avionics Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Array Verified today

About the role

Vast is looking for an Avionics Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Array to support the development and production of solar arrays and avionics hardware for human-rated space stations and satellites. Reporting to the Avionics Manufacturing Manager, you will be based in Long Beach, California in a full-time, exempt position.

You will play a crucial role in bringing solar arrays from design into full-scale production, partnering with cross-functional teams of design engineers, test engineers, and technicians. You will drive hardware through assembly and test, ensuring it meets the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design teams to provide feedback on manufacturability and assembly processes of solar arrays for crewed stations and satellites.
• Support new product introduction by developing manufacturing processes for solar array production and integration.
• Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions for solar arrays and avionics hardware.
• Design and implement tooling to improve production and test processes, aid inspection, and ensure safety.
• Support environmental and deployment testing of solar arrays throughout development, acceptance, and qualification campaigns.
• Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Drive process and product improvements that meet integration timelines and improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality components and review their manufacturing processes.
• Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards.
• Participate in design reviews, offering insights that improve manufacturability and reliability.
• Partner with quality assurance teams to establish and maintain rigorous quality control processes.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues on manufacturing best practices and collaborate on documentation review.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in solar array manufacturing, including bonding, composite fabrication, harness manufacturing, and electro-mechanical assembly.
• Experience in tooling and ground support equipment (GSE) design and/or manufacturing.
• Project management experience with ability to own deliverables and meet key milestone deadlines.

Preferred skills and experience

• Strong understanding of adhesive bonding, composite fabrication, harnessing, and tooling manufacturing processes with hands-on assembly techniques specific to solar arrays.
• Experience with cell-level processes such as IV testing, binning, and coverglass-interconnected-cell (CIC) lay-up and lamination.
• Experience with stringer machine technology for cell alignment, tabbing, and soldering, including hands-on operation, programming, or maintenance.
• Experience with composite substrate and panel fabrication.
• Familiarity with design, routing, and integration of wire harnesses, including strain relief and termination to array power bus.
• Experience designing and manufacturing tooling, ground support equipment, and test equipment for production and acceptance testing.
• Experience with thermal vacuum, electrical performance, and deployment testing of solar arrays and test coupons.
• Familiarity with acceptance criteria and rework/repair procedures for solar cells and completed arrays.
• Experience authoring work instructions for manufacturing, inspection, and testing of solar arrays and avionics hardware.
• Experience documenting nonconformances, driving dispositions, and implementing corrective actions.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as Siemens NX for reviewing designs and generating manufacturing documentation.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as IPC/WHMA-A-620 (harnesses), IPC-A-610 (electronic assemblies), and NASA workmanship standards.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to lead structured root cause analysis.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on experience testing and troubleshooting solar array systems.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality, flight-worthy hardware.
• Experience supporting new product introduction from prototype through production.
• Ability to provide clear, actionable design-for-manufacturing feedback to engineering teams.

Additional requirements

• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Familiarity with working in ESD and cleanroom environments (ISO 7 or ISO 8).
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.

Compensation

Pay range: $120,000 to $245,000 USD (California). Compensation will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand.

Full-time employees receive company equity and benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off with 20+ days vacation for exempt staff; paid parental leave; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; ClassPass credits; mental healthcare through Spring Health; and onsite food perks including free snacks, coffee, cold drinks, and dinner with subsidized lunch.

Export control requirement

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls and must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62. This includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted (not pending).