Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Avionics

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 Mechanical Design Engineer, Avionics , reporting to the Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering, Avionics, to support the development of the Avionics, RF, Power, or GNC systems for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities:

• Function in a cross disciplinary team and a dynamic design environment
• Support electronics development and trade studies, and create interface definition, specification, and control documents
• Validate requirements through design, test, analysis, or inspection
• Plan and conduct tests, review and interpret data
• Create assembly and/or installation drawings and support hardware builds
• Design avionics enclosure and mounting solutions for high reliability in harsh environments
• Participate in the entire design cycle of flight and mission critical avionics
• Work with the electrical engineering team to design rugged printed circuit board systems
• Complete thermal and structural analyses of these designs
• Create engineering drawings and manage the product configuration of the integrated designs through the product lifecycle
• Review test plans and manage testing and qualification of the product
• Design and/or support integration brackets of avionics components into the space station

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors of science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience with electronics packaging and/or critical electronic components in extreme environments.
• Working experience with 3D CAD programs.
• Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5).

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Masters of science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• Working experience with NX preferred.
• Experience designing ruggedized electronics enclosures or similar high-performance hardware.
• Familiarity with environmental testing similar to SMC-S-016, and/or MIL-STD-810.
• Familiarity with circuit card design per IPC-A-610 and/or J standards.
• Thermal and structural analysis experience using ANSYS or similar.
• Experience with electrical schematic reviews and electrical schematic capture software (Altium or similar).

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Pay Range:

• Senior Mechanical Design Engineer III: $137,760 - $195,552
• Staff Mechanical Design Engineer IV: $186,960 - $265,392

Pay Range: California

$137,760—$265,392 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.

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.