Test Instrumentation Engineer @ VAST

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in August 2025. 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 a Test Instrumentation Engineer, reporting to the Associate Director, Mojave Test Site, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations and the E-2 LOX/Kerosene oxidizer-rich staged combustion engine. This will be a full-time, exempt position located at our Mojave Test Site location.

Responsibilities:

Support test engineers by maintaining all test stand instrumentation and control systems on all rocket engine and structures test stands
Generate and maintain electrical schematics for all test stand instrumentation and control systems
Manage all instrumentation calibration records
Manage all instrumentation checkout and calibration equipment
Coordinate recalibration of all instrumentation
Develop debug and servicing procedures for all test site instrumentation and work side by side with electrical technicians in the activation and maintenance of all test stand electrical systems

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
2+ years of experience in the operation, design and development of instrumentation and controls equipment

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Experience with PLCs
Experience with National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW
Experience with strain gauges, IEPE accelerometers, TCs, RTDs and 4-20mA loop sensors
Ability to read, understand, and interpret technical documentation such as wire diagrams, sensor data sheets, and data systems equipment manuals
Experience with NX and Teamcenter
Experience with JIRA / Confluence
Extreme attention to detail
Read & interpret Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, along with effective teamwork abilities
Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment

Additional Requirements:

Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Must be able to work in extreme temperatures, ranging from 20F to 120F, outdoor

Salary Range: California

$80,000—$145,000 USD

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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 15 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, free catered meals and snacks and beverages, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.

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.

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth