Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Senior Avionics Engineer to support our Lunar Program, reporting to the Senior Vice President, Lunar Programs. As the first dedicated avionics engineer on the program, you will serve as a Responsible Engineer for flight avionics hardware, owning design, development, qualification, and integration from early architecture through flight. You will help define how the Lunar program builds avionics: setting the architecture, design standards, and verification practices that the team will inherit as the program scales.

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

Responsibilities

Serve as Responsible Engineer for avionics subsystems and components, owning requirements, design, analysis, build, test, and flight readiness
Define and develop avionics architecture for lunar vehicles and systems, including flight computers, power distribution, data handling, communications, sensors, and harnessing
Design and develop flight electronics, including schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, component selection, and box-level design, with attention to radiation, thermal, and environmental constraints beyond LEO
Write and manage avionics requirements and interface control documents, and work closely with GNC, flight software, propulsion, power, thermal, and structures teams to close interfaces
Lead design reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR) and present technical trades, analyses, and risks to program and engineering leadership
Plan and execute development, qualification, and acceptance test campaigns for avionics hardware, including functional, EMI/EMC, random vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and TVAC testing
Build and maintain avionics test benches, hardware-in-the-loop setups, and ground support equipment for checkout and integration
Support integration of avionics into vehicle-level systems, and troubleshoot hardware, firmware, and interface issues through integrated testing
Partner with suppliers on procurement, design reviews, and acceptance of avionics components and assemblies
Drive reliability, parts selection, derating, and failure analysis practices, and own corrective actions on non-conformances
Help scope and grow the Lunar avionics team, mentoring engineers and technicians as new hires join

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
6+ years of experience designing, developing, and testing avionics or electrical hardware for aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications
Demonstrated ownership of hardware from design through test and integration

Preferred Skills & Experience

Experience serving as Responsible Engineer for spaceflight avionics through qualification and flight