Avionics System Test Operations Engineer

Vast • Long Beach, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Vast is seeking an Avionics System Test Operations Engineer to support the development and operation of automated testing systems for the design and build of artificial-gravity, human-rated space stations. The role reports to the Senior Manager, Avionics System Test and is a full-time, exempt position located in Long Beach, California.

The engineer will work across teams to define test criteria, develop and execute system-level tests, operate and troubleshoot avionics test systems, and create automation tools that improve test planning, execution, analysis, and verification. The role also supports Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL/HIL) test asset design and validation, anomaly resolution, mission-operator training, and documentation and handover of test systems to operators. The position may support on-orbit anomaly resolution and critical mission milestones.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or another hard science.
• At least 2 years of post-bachelor’s experience working with or developing hardware test systems.
• At least 2 years of experience building and maintaining hardware test systems.
• Experience operating and maintaining Linux systems, including confident use of command-line tools.
• Experience with power supplies, electronic loads, oscilloscopes, and digital multimeters.
• Experience designing and/or maintaining computer networks.
• Familiarity with basic electrical and wiring concepts, including grounding and electrical safety.
• Demonstrated expertise in root-cause analysis methodologies and problem-solving in avionics or complex hardware environments.
• Strong documentation skills, including the ability to produce detailed, accurate technical reports and communicate findings effectively.
• Familiarity with Python programming.
• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds unassisted.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with satellite communications or telemetry systems.
• Experience developing and executing requirement-driven test plans for avionics or electronics systems.
• Experience with automated test systems and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) environments.
• Familiarity with C++.
• Experience with embedded systems design and/or testing.
• Experience with testing protocols and standards relevant to space systems.
• Familiarity with Git, CMake, and GNU tools.
• Knowledge of CI/CD and issue-tracking tools such as the Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence) and GitHub.
• Familiarity with Docker or other containerization software.
• Experience designing and building systems with a modular DAQ ecosystem, such as NI, Weidmuller, or Beckhoff.

Responsibilities

• Work with Responsible Engineers and system owners across the organization to capture test design criteria for avionics test systems.
• Lead test methodology discussions with stakeholders, including Flight Software and Mission Operations, to develop procedures for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL/HIL) test assets.
• Develop system-level test cases, implement them on test systems, and validate outputs with internal stakeholders.
• Plan day-to-day system test operations.
• Troubleshoot and debug avionics test systems.
• Perform checkout testing of system test assets and support sign-off reviews.
• Develop automation tools, such as Python and ground software scripts, to improve the efficiency and quality of test planning, execution, data analysis, and verification tracking.
• Serve as a first point of contact for anomaly resolution, including documentation, root-cause analysis, disposition, and prevention of recurrence.
• Support Mission Operator training activities using system test HITL assets.
• Support anomaly resolution for issues encountered on-orbit.
• Support the design of HITL/HIL test assets for system-level validation of Haven-1 avionics, including closed-loop simulation of relevant test cases.
• Work with subject matter experts to support development, implementation, and verification of interfaces to co-simulation strategies for HITL applications.
• Produce test-system documentation and support handover to test operators.

Benefits

• Company equity for full-time employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Paid time off, including up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days 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.
• Other discounts and perks.
• Free snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, dinner meals, and access to an onsite barista; lunch is subsidized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level