Senior Avionics Test Engineer Verified today
About Vast
Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Haven Demo's 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches in 2027.
The Role
You will work as a Senior Avionics Test Engineer reporting to the Manager of Avionics Testing. This is a full-time, exempt position in Long Beach, California, supporting the development of automated testing systems for human-rated space stations.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and commission test systems for avionics systems and associated electronics hardware
- Work with Responsible Engineers to capture test requirements for avionics test systems
- Develop component and system level test cases, implement them on test systems and validate their outputs
- Perform troubleshooting and debug of avionics test systems
- Lead test system design reviews for avionics test systems
- Lead and coach troubleshooting and debug efforts across the wider team
- Produce documentation for test systems and support handover to test operators
- Support architecting the automated test framework for Vast and lead local implementation on avionics test systems
- Work with subject matter experts to develop and implement Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) interfaces and co-simulation strategies
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other hard science
- 2+ years of post-bachelor's experience working with and developing hardware test systems
- 1+ years experience with C++ or Python
- Experience operating and maintaining Linux systems, including confident command line use
- Experience designing and building systems with a modular DAQ ecosystem (e.g. NI, Weidmuller, Beckhoff)
- Familiarity with basic electrical and wiring concepts including grounding and electrical safety
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Strong documentation and communication skills
- Hands-on experience with product testing
- Experience with testing protocols and standards relevant to space systems
- Experience coordinating and/or supervising the outputs of other engineers
- Python application development
- Familiarity with Git, CMake, and GNU tools
- Knowledge of CI/CD and issue tracking tools such as JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence and Github
- Understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers
- Embedded systems experience
- Fault-tolerant and safety-critical software design
- Software development for complex systems such as spacecraft, aircraft or autonomous vehicles
- Network programming experience
- Satellite communications or telemetry systems experience
- Familiarity with power supplies, electronic loads, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Compensation
Base salary: $135,800 to $176,400 USD (varies by experience and demonstrated capability). Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage; 20+ days vacation for exempt staff; paid parental leave; disability and life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; and perks including free meals, snacks, coffee, and mental health support.
U.S. export control compliance: 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, or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and asylees and refugees with such status granted (not pending).