VAST

Develops artificial gravity space stations

Solar Array Test Engineer

Spacecraft & Launch Vehicle SystemsUpdated on Nov 10

Full-timeLong Beach, CA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

A Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, physics, or a related engineering discipline is required.
At least 5 years of experience in hardware testing for satellites, spacecraft, or high-reliability aerospace systems is required.
Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation such as thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, and LVDTs, and test automation is required.
Hands-on experience planning and executing environmental testing such as thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, or acoustic testing on flight or qualification hardware is required.
Demonstrated experience authoring test plans, procedures, and test reports is required.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple parallel test campaigns and maintain meticulous documentation are required.
Working knowledge of photovoltaic device physics and space-environment degradation mechanisms is required.
Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent is required.
The candidate must be comfortable working across engineering disciplines and with technician teams in a hands-on environment.

Responsibilities

Own the qualification program for non-space-heritage terrestrial or commercial off-the-shelf photovoltaic cell technologies for space use.
Develop, author, and maintain test plans, procedures, and reports for solar array hardware at coupon, panel, wing, and system levels.
Plan and execute test campaigns including thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, sine and random vibration, shock, acoustic, static load, deployment, and life-cycle testing.
Plan and execute functional testing of solar array hardware, including flash testing, electroluminescence imaging, isolation resistance, and current-voltage curve characterization.
Define test success criteria, instrumentation requirements, data acquisition configurations, and test-as-you-fly rationale for solar array verification activities.
Coordinate and oversee testing at internal facilities and external test laboratories.
Analyze test data, document results, identify anomalies, and lead troubleshooting and root-cause investigations when test failures occur.
Determine applicable standards, including AIAA S-111, AIAA S-112, SMC-S-016, and program-specific verification requirements.
Collaborate with solar array design, structures, thermal, power electronics, and mission assurance engineers to ensure test campaigns provide comprehensive design verification.
Support development and buildout of internal test capabilities, fixturing, and ground support equipment for solar array testing.
Present test readiness reviews, test results, and lessons learned at design reviews and to cross-functional stakeholders.
Author and maintain verification documentation throughout the product's design lifecycle.

Desired Qualifications

At least 8 years of test engineering experience on satellite or spacecraft programs, with direct solar array or deployable structure test experience.
Experience executing test campaigns in compliance with SMC-S-016, AIAA S-112, AIAA S-111, or equivalent military or NASA environmental test standards such as GEVS or MIL-STD-1540.
Experience with solar cell or photovoltaic module electrical characterization, including flash testing, current-voltage curve analysis, and electroluminescence inspection.
Direct experience with solar cell radiation degradation testing using proton or electron irradiation and end-of-life performance prediction.
Experience with AM0 solar simulator calibration.
Experience qualifying a non-space-heritage or commercial off-the-shelf component or material for spaceflight use.
Experience developing custom test fixturing and ground support equipment, including interfacing with machinists and technicians on fabrication.
Working knowledge of solar array design, construction, and failure modes.
Experience at a vertically integrated satellite company or fast-paced aerospace startup, with substantial hands-on time with hardware.
Design or modeling experience with NX, Teamcenter, or similar computer-aided design or product lifecycle management tools for fixture and ground support equipment design.

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 Solar Array Test Engineer. The team has one opening available at L2, Senior, or Staff level. This role will be reporting to the Principal Power Systems Engineer, 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:

Own the qualification program for non-space-heritage (terrestrial/COTS) photovoltaic cell technologies for space use
Develop, author, and maintain test plans, procedures, and reports for solar array hardware at the coupon, panel, wing, and system levels
Plan and execute test campaigns including thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, vibration (sine, random), shock, acoustic, static load, deployment, and life-cycle testing
Plan and execute functional testing of solar array hardware, including flash testing, electroluminescence (EL) imaging, isolation resistance, and IV curve characterization
Define test success criteria, instrumentation requirements, data acquisition configurations, and test-as-you-fly rationale for all solar array verification activities
Coordinate and oversee testing at both internal facilities and external test labs
Analyze test data, document results, identify anomalies, and lead troubleshooting and root cause investigations when test failures occur
Determine applicable standards including AIAA S-111 (space solar cell qualification), AIAA S-112, SMC-S-016, and program-specific verification requirements
Collaborate with solar array design, structures, thermal, power electronics, and mission assurance engineers to ensure test campaigns provide comprehensive design verification
Support the development and buildout of internal test capabilities, fixturing, and ground support equipment (GSE) for solar array testing
Present test readiness reviews, test results, and lessons learned at design reviews and to cross-functional stakeholders
Author and maintain verification documentation through the product’s design lifecycle

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, physics, or related engineering discipline
5+ years of experience in hardware testing for satellites, spacecraft, or high-reliability aerospace systems
Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation (thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, LVDTs), and test automation
Hands-on experience planning and executing environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, or acoustic) on flight or qualification hardware
Demonstrated experience authoring test plans, procedures, and test reports
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple parallel test campaigns and maintain meticulous documentation
Working knowledge of photovoltaic device physics and space-environment degradation mechanisms
Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent
Effective communicator who thrives in a hands-on, hardware-rich environment and is comfortable working across engineering disciplines and with technician teams

Preferred Skills & Experience:

8+ years of experience in test engineering for satellite or spacecraft programs, with direct solar array or deployable structure test experience
Experience executing test campaigns in compliance with SMC-S-016, AIAA S112, AIAA S-111, or equivalent military/NASA environmental test standards (e.g., GEVS, MIL-STD-1540)
Experience with solar cell or photovoltaic module electrical characterization, including flash testing, IV curve analysis, and EL inspection
Direct experience with solar cell radiation degradation testing (proton/electron irradiation) and EOL performance prediction
Experience with AM0 solar simulator calibration
Experience qualifying a non-space-heritage or COTS component/material for spaceflight use
Experience developing custom test fixturing and GSE, including interfacing with machinists and technicians on fabrication
Working knowledge of solar array design, construction, and failure modes
Experience at a vertically integrated satellite company or fast-paced aerospace startup with high personal touch-time on hardware
Design or modeling experience with NX, Teamcenter, or similar CAD/PLM tools for fixture and GSE design

Pay Range: California

$112,340—$230,472 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 112340 - 230472 USD

About the Company

VAST

Develops artificial gravity space stations

Vast Space builds artificial gravity space stations to enable long-term human life in space. Its approach uses large rotating habitats that generate centrifugal force to mimic Earth's gravity, helping astronauts stay healthy during extended missions. The company designs, tests, demonstrates, services, and manufactures space infrastructure and customizable habitat modules for government space agencies, private aerospace companies, and research institutions that operate in lunar, Martian, or deep-space missions. Unlike others, Vast Space focuses on end-to-end artificial gravity solutions and ongoing support, not just concepts, and targets contracts that provide sustainable space habitats for science, exploration, and colonization efforts. The overall goal is to expand humanity’s reach across the solar system by creating scalable, gravity-enabled habitats that enable safe, long-term presence in space while protecting Earth's ecosystem.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: Series A
Total funding: $500M
Headquarters: Long Beach, CA
Founded: 2021

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