Systems 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, followed by additional Haven modules. Vast also announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components.

Role

Vast is looking for a Systems Engineer, reporting to the Vice President of Flight Safety and Mission Assurance, to support the development of systems required for the design and build of the world's first human-rated commercial space stations. This is a full-time, exempt position located in Long Beach, California.

Responsibilities

Technical Excellence

• Lead the technical foundation of all design baselines through requirements definition, management, and traceability through major design reviews and verification campaigns
• Oversee the technical management of all products across multiple engineering disciplines, and drive product readiness and maturity through major milestones
• Establish and maintain product breakdown structures and engineering lifecycle documentation throughout the program
• Own the definition of verification and validation (V&V) plans to ensure high technical quality of inputs, outputs, and success criteria
• Review design implementations against requirements and drive resolution of non-compliances

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead company-wide guidance and standards on systems engineering principles
• Influence technical decision-making and configuration changes that are comprehensive and consistent across all engineering disciplines
• Excel in communication of engineering progress through major milestones to drive strategic planning for responsible engineers, engineering managers, and program leaders
• Collaborate with design and flight reliability teams on making informed decisions based on mission risks, hazards, and functional performance of systems

Process Ownership

• Drive streamlining of systems engineering processes that enables both rapid iteration and development, as well as methodical planning of design compliance and traceability to technical and programmatic requirements
• Pioneer tools and systems that track key technical sources of truth across the program throughout all changes and milestones

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of experience in design ownership, systems integration, or test engineering, of which at least 1+ years are systems engineering focused

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in Responsible Engineering, Systems Engineering, or technical leadership roles on complex aerospace systems
• Comprehensive understanding of at least one core engineering discipline (Structures, Thermal, Avionics, Power, Flight Software, etc.)
• Hands-on experience with requirements and/or project management tools
• Experience leading design reviews (PDR, CDR) and verification campaigns
• Strong cross-disciplinary communication and technical leadership skills
• Strong systems-level intuition and the ability to create, own and drive systems engineering processes
• Background with spacecraft, aircraft, launch vehicles, or other mission- or safety-critical systems
• Familiarity with industry standards that drive space systems design and test
• Strong scripting and data analysis skills (Python, MATLAB, Excel) and familiarity with visualization tools (e.g., Tableau)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• 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 (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

Compensation

Base salary: $112,340-$159,468 USD. Compensation will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous paid time off (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; free snacks, coffee, cold drinks, and dinner; and subsidized lunch.