Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and capital-efficient approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to support a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and supporting a growing space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to design, build, and operate its own spacecraft in orbit. Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo: Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon.

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 capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a(n) Electric Propulsion Specialist, reporting to the Director of Production, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, non-exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

As an Electric Propulsion Specialist, you'll work hands-on in the lab where our propulsion hardware gets built and tested. You'll work side by side with propulsion engineers to assemble, wire, and test electric propulsion hardware, from thrusters to the high-voltage power and harnessing that drives them.

Responsibilities:

Fabricate, assemble, integrate, and test electric propulsion hardware, including thrusters, propellant feed components, power electronics, and test support equipment
Build, inspect, and repair electrical harnesses and cable assemblies, including soldering, crimping, potting, splicing, lacing, and connector termination
Safely work on high-voltage systems and equipment, following lockout/tagout, grounding, and other electrical safety practices
Run, maintain, and troubleshoot vacuum chambers and pumping systems
Set up and run thruster and component tests, including mounting hardware, routing instrumentation, checking out data acquisition systems, and monitoring tests
Machine fixtures, brackets, adapters, and test hardware on manual and/or CNC mills and lathes from drawings or engineering sketches
Diagnose electrical and mechanical problems using multimeters, hipot and insulation-resistance testers, oscilloscopes, and leak detectors
Follow and help write work instructions, test procedures, and build travelers, and record as-built configurations and any non-conformances accurately
Keep the lab, tooling, and test areas clean, organized, and safe, including inventory of consumables and spares
Work with engineering, quality, and other technicians to feed manufacturing and test lessons back into design

Minimum Qualifications:

5+ years of hands-on experience as an electrical, electromechanical, or test technician in aerospace, defense, research, or a similar high-reliability industry (or equivalent military experience)
Demonstrated experience building wire harnesses and cable assemblies, including soldering, crimping, and connector termination
Experience working safely on high-voltage systems or equipment
Machining experience on manual and/or CNC mills and lathes

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Experience operating and maintaining high-vacuum systems, including roughing pumps, turbomolecular pumps, diffusion pumps, and/or cryopumps
Experience with helium leak detection, vacuum gauges, and vacuum fittings (KF, CF, ISO)
Experience with electric propulsion systems (Hall-effect, gridded ion, or similar) or plasma/high-voltage lab equipment
Welding experience (TIG preferred), especially on stainless steel or thin-walled tubing
Current IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001 (including Space Addendum), and/or NASA-STD-8739 certification
Experience with precision cleaning, cleanroom work, or contamination control for flight hardware
Experience with propellant feed systems, including tube bending, fittings, and pressure/leak testing
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings, including GD&T
Experience with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation
Familiarity with documenting work in an MES or similar system for manufacturing and quality records
Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality and safety
Ability to work effectively in a team and to make sound independent judgments with limited information
Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, balancing several tasks at once and adapting to changing priorities

Additional Requirements:

Willingness to work overtime, extended shifts, or weekends to support critical test campaigns and mission milestones
Ability to lift up to [50] lbs unassisted
Ability to wear PPE as required, and to work in cleanrooms and confined spaces around test chambers
Ability to travel up to [10]% of the time to support testing at vendor or external facilities

Pay Range: California

$42.97—$61 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

COMPENSATION 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: 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.

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.

Pay Range: California 42.97 - 61 USD

VAST

Electric Propulsion Specialist

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