Senior Avionics Systems Engineer

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Vast is seeking a Senior Avionics Systems Engineer in Long Beach to own avionics across design, integration, test, launch and operations for the Haven space station program. You will define detailed system designs including interfaces, budgets, harness and channel capabilities, and fault-tolerant requirements; collaborate with a cross-functional team to move concepts to flight production; architect autonomous modes and fault responses; develop system-level test plans and verify flight readiness; monitor vehicle health, perform root-cause analysis, and drive corrective actions; mentor peers and drive reliability improvements; willingness to travel up to 10 percent and support mission milestones as needed. Minimum qualifications include 5+ years in avionics and systems engineering with a bachelor’s in engineering and lifecycle development experience; preferred experience with flight software interfaces, power, GNC, RF, high-reliability electronics and lab testing. Salary ranges are 150 170k for Senior and 160 200k for Staff, plus equity and full benefits. To apply, tailor your resume to showcase end-to-end spacecraft systems delivery, leadership and problem solving in fast paced environments, and be prepared to discuss handling incomplete data and multi-project prioritization.

---

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for an experienced Senior Avionics Systems Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager, Avionics and Power Systems, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. 

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

• Function as responsible engineer for avionics systems across design, integration, test, launch, and operations.
• Define detailed systems design, including system interfaces, consumable budgets, harness and channel capabilities, hardware capabilities, reliability and fault tolerance compliance, vehicle risk assessments, and configuration change management.
• Collaborate with a cross-functional engineering team to define requirements, perform systems trades, and scope designs as they move from concept to flight production. 
• Architect and inform autonomous behaviors, vehicle modes, and fault responses to comply with vehicle redundancy and fault-tolerance requirements.
• Develop system-level test plans for integrated flight hardware to verify test coverage and vehicle flight readiness.
• Evaluate vehicle health and perform real-time troubleshooting to drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Create and maintain system designs, processes, and validation techniques to improve reliability and streamline production.
• Support process improvement by identifying recurring issues, implementing design feedback, and enabling higher system reliability.
• Travel to launch sites or test facilities as needed to support operational activities.
• Mentor and support fellow engineers, fostering strong technical development across the team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of professional or project experience with avionics design, analysis, system level integration, and/or unit level testing. 
• Experience with systems engineering principles and processes as they relate to spacecraft development.
• Experience with lifecycle development as it relates to space systems, including requirement definition, identifying design solutions, integration, validation and verification, qualification, and operation.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience defining, managing, and verifying flight software interfaces.
• Experience with system design and test of subsystems like power, GNC, RF, and human interfaces.
• Experience with high-reliability/fault-tolerant electronics for aerospace or defense applications.
• Understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyze and improve test coverage.
• Competence with electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, power supplies, etc.)
• Ability to effectively communicate technical topics to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to creatively solve problems and weigh against multi-disciplinary requirements while assessing risk and making design and development decisions with incomplete data. 
• Self-motivated with strong learning, multi-tasking, organizational, communication and documentation skills.
• Strong sense of accountability and integrity with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and thrive in a fast paced environment.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 10% travel to support launch campaigns.
• Comfortable balancing several projects at any given time with the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction.
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range: 

• Senior Avionics Systems Engineer: $150,000 - $170,000
• Staff Avionics Systems Engineer: $160,000 - $200,000

Pay Range: California$150,000—$200,000 USDCOMPENSATION AND BENEFITS   Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.  

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

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

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.