Build Reliability Engineer - Avionics

Vast • Long Beach, CA

6h • $112,340 - $195,552 • Onsite

About The Position

Vast is seeking a Build Reliability Engineer (Avionics) to support the reliability of flight avionics hardware across the product lifecycle for human-rated space stations. Reporting to the Principal Build Reliability Engineer, this role works across design, manufacturing, integration, and test to help ensure space systems meet high standards for safety, quality, and performance. The position is full-time and exempt at Vast’s Long Beach, California location. It may require travel up to 5% and support for mission-critical events outside normal working hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in manufacturing, design, quality, reliability, or related roles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent communication and technical skills.
• Ability to travel up to 5%.
• Ability to support mission-critical events outside normal working hours.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or higher; an advanced degree in an engineering discipline is also listed as preferred.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Direct experience with harness manufacturing, avionics/electromechanical manufacturing, functional testing, pressure testing, or environmental testing.
• Track record of taking project ownership, conducting root-cause analysis and corrective actions, and influencing suppliers to drive results.
• Ability to learn new tools, processes, and technical concepts quickly.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and collaborate across a matrixed organization.
• Detail-oriented mindset and strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts to all levels of the organization.
• Experience with statistical controls and methods, such as MSA, DOE, and hypothesis testing.
• Disciplined problem-solving approach, such as Six Sigma or 8D.
• Working knowledge of quality systems and standards, such as ISO 9001 and AS9100.
• Familiarity with industry standards relevant to solar arrays and avionics manufacturing, including IPC 620, IPC 610, NASA 8739.4 workmanship standards, and launch requirements per SMC-S-016.

Responsibilities

• Own build reliability for avionics hardware and work centers, establishing expectations for reliability, manufacturability, and build and flight readiness.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Mission Assurance leadership on scalable quality and verification plans across the product lifecycle, carrying lessons across programs.
• Define flight-hardware introduction readiness criteria, including process qualification, manufacturability, and inspectability, and retire build risks during production ramp-up.
• Mature internal avionics production processes, including documentation, equipment, tooling, process controls, data collection, and training.
• Ensure off-nominal work is performed and documented reliably; partner with Mission Assurance on risk mitigations and response plans for severe issues.
• Provide technical direction for high-visibility issues, establish recovery plans, and align operations, quality, and engineering on execution.
• Collect and analyze build data to identify risks and recurring issues; lead build quality reviews and make data-driven recommendations to prevent escapes and improve reliability.
• Lead containment and root-cause investigations of high-impact avionics issues and ensure robust corrective actions address root causes and systemic contributors.
• Lead cost-of-quality reduction initiatives through simplified requirements, clearer design standards, streamlined inspection and process validation, and stronger process controls.

Benefits

• Company equity.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Paid time off, including vacation; exempt staff may receive 20+ days and non-exempt staff 10+ days, 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.
• Snacks, drip coffee, onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals free of charge; lunch is subsidized.
• Other discounts and perks.

What This Job Offers

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