Build Reliability Engineer - Avionics

Vast • Long Beach, CA

5d • 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 its 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 of safety, quality, and performance. The position is full-time and exempt, based at Vast’s Long Beach location. Travel up to 5% and support for mission-critical events outside normal working hours may be required.

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 or electromechanical manufacturing, functional testing, pressure testing, or environmental testing.
• Track record of taking ownership of projects, performing root-cause analysis and corrective actions, and influencing suppliers to drive results.
• Ability to learn new tools, processes, and technical concepts quickly and thrive in a fast-paced environment while collaborating across a matrixed organization.
• Detail-oriented approach 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, setting expectations for reliability, manufacturability, and build and flight readiness.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Mission Assurance leadership to establish robust, scalable quality and verification plans across the product lifecycle and carry lessons across programs.
• Define readiness criteria for introducing flight hardware, including process qualification, manufacturability, and inspectability, and retire build risks during production ramp-up.
• Mature internal avionics production processes by ensuring documentation, equipment, tooling, process controls, data collection, and training support consistent execution.
• Ensure off-nominal work is performed and documented reliably; partner with Mission Assurance on risk mitigation and response plans for severe issues.
• Provide leadership and technical direction on high-visibility issues, developing recovery plans and aligning 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 influence partner teams and prevent escapes.
• 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 simpler requirements, clearer design standards, streamlined inspection and process validation, and stronger process controls.

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; unused vacation may be cashed out 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, onsite barista service, cold drinks, and dinner meals; subsidized lunch.

What This Job Offers

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