Instrumentation Test Engineer

Vast•Long Beach, CA

3h•$110,000 - $176,400•Onsite

About The Position

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us. Vast is looking for an Instrumentation Test Engineer, reporting to the Director, Structures Test, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. In this role, you will support the ongoing development of our Haven-1 space station module, with a primary focus on primary and secondary structures testing. You will work closely with design REs, test technicians, and other teams such as Manufacturing, Integration, and Avionics to meet design/mission requirements and industry standards. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach, CA location.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
3+ years of experience in an engineering environment (test, launch, automation, etc.)

Nice To Haves

Experience planning and executing engineering operations in a time-sensitive and high-risk environment
Own assembly, checkouts and development test stands
Ability to quickly understand and troubleshoot new/existing systems
Experience writing and executing test plans/procedures in collaboration with design engineers
Experience with designing and implementing instrumentation systems
Experience working across engineering groups to define requirements and implement solutions
Execute deliverables based on prioritized implementation plans and timelines
Ability to rapidly change priorities between several projects
Identify key unknowns and quickly close knowledge gaps
Deliver the highest value results quickly and iterate towards successive milestones
Perform root cause analysis of system failures and provide practical solutions
Experience designing and/or working with closed-loop control systems i.e. Pneumatic or Hydraulic Actuators
Experience with selection of precision sensor and measurement devices (i.e. load cells, thermocouples, pressure sensors, deflection transducers, strain gauges)
Experience with harnessing sensors to DAQ systems
Experience working with DAQ software and hardware i.e. NI, Beckhoff, and/or Dewesoft.
Experience with programming in Python, C++, or other text based languages
Experience generating test system P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) using Visio / Lucidchart or equivalent.
Experience with creating and maintaining project schedules with Smartsheet, Project or equivalent
Experience with SVN, GIT, or other version management systems
Experience with Teamcenter or other PLM systems
Experience with CAD systems, NX preferable
Must be able to travel to our Mojave Test site (up to 25% of the time)
Must be able to work varying hours/shifts and available for extended hours as well as weekends when needed
Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and be able to maneuver in tight spaces; physically able to handle items weighing up to 25lbs (unassisted)
Ability and desire to perform in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment

Responsibilities

Work under the direction of the Director of Structures Test to develop and execute testing on primary and secondary structure of the Haven-1 Space Station
Design, commission, and own data acquisition systems
Mentor other engineers and technicians on the team
Adhere to, enforce, and improve the test processes and good practices of Vast and the test organization
Produce professional and traceable documentation, including electrical, software, and electro-mechanical of the test systems used
Work with responsible engineers to design, prepare, and execute test campaigns. This includes the buildup of new test systems and/or operation of existing systems
Perform all necessary design, commissioning, and project management of new systems used for testing
Present at TRR (Test Readiness Review), PDR (Preliminary Design Review) and/or CDR (Critical Design Review) before all test systems are started
Find creative solutions to unique issues in order to save cost and schedule while improving overall quality and safety
Come up with great ideas and be empowered to make them a reality
Continuous learning/Improvement—and share them with your team members
Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

100% 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.

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