AstroTalentSpace Jobs

Electrical Engineer - Crew Avionics Verified today

Vast · Long Beach, CA · Electronics · first seen 2026-09-03
Apply at Vast →

Role

Vast is developing next-generation space stations using a hardware-rich, low-cost approach. Haven Demo succeeded in 2025, making Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly its own spacecraft. Haven-1, the world's first commercial space station, is expected to launch in 2027.

You will join the Crew Avionics team as an Electrical Engineer, reporting to the Manager of Human Interface Avionics. This is a full-time, exempt position in Long Beach, California.

What you will own

  • Hardware products from design through flight and beyond, with full ownership of both success and failure. You will receive support and resources, not reprimand, when things go wrong.
  • End-to-end electrical design: translate operational requirements into detailed specifications and design documents.
  • PCB design and development for flight hardware to space-grade standards, including schematic capture, component selection, layout, and analysis.
  • Signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC analysis to ensure robust designs in a punishing space environment.
  • Circuit analysis including worst-case, fault tolerance, and derating analysis using simulation tools such as SPICE and MATLAB/Simulink.
  • Test and verification: develop test plans, troubleshoot and debug hardware, support environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, radiation, EMC), and flight qualification campaigns.
  • Design documentation, test procedures, and participation in design reviews.
  • Cross-functional collaboration with software, mechanical, systems engineering, manufacturing, test, and operations teams.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • Some experience in electrical engineering with focus on system and PCB design.

Preferred Skills & Experience

  • Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools (Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, KiCad).
  • Experience with analog and digital circuit design, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and communication interfaces (I2C, SPI, Ethernet, RS-422).
  • Understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC principles.
  • Experience with simulation tools (SPICE) to evaluate design decisions.
  • Hardware testing, troubleshooting, and debugging.
  • Audio electronics (speakers, microphones, amplifiers).
  • High-reliability and fault-tolerant electronics for aerospace or defense applications.
  • Space-grade components and radiation effects.
  • Human-machine interface (HMI) design principles.
  • Lighting systems design.
  • Complex system architectures.
  • Environmental testing for flight hardware.
  • Scripting languages (Python) for automation and data analysis.
  • Hands-on engineering: equal comfort at desktop, in the lab with a soldering iron, and cleaning up afterwards.
  • Problem-solving and communication skills in a fast-paced, dynamic, team-oriented environment.
  • Independent and collaborative work style with transparency and accountability.

Additional Requirements

  • Able to lift 25 lbs unassisted.
  • Willingness to work evenings and weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Compensation

Pay range: $112,340 to $195,552 USD depending on experience and demonstrated capability. Three levels:

  • Electrical Design Engineer I: $103,000
  • Electrical Design Engineer II: $112,340 to $159,468
  • Senior Electrical Design Engineer: $137,760 to $195,552

Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage; 20+ days vacation for exempt staff (10+ for non-exempt) with annual cash-out option; paid parental leave; short and long-term disability; life insurance; 401(k) plan; ClassPass credits; Spring Health mental healthcare access; free snacks, coffee, barista, cold drinks, and dinner; subsidized lunch.

Export Control Compliance

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. You must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62, which includes U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees or refugees with such status granted (not pending).