Apply on Employer Site

Vast · 3 hours ago

Electrical Engineer - Crew Avionics

Long Beach, California, United States

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$110K/yr - $206K/yr

2+ years exp

Vast is a company dedicated to advancing space exploration by building artificial gravity space stations. They are seeking an Electrical Engineer for Crew Avionics to develop systems for human-rated space stations, ensuring safety and quality in avionics products.

Defense & Space

Culture & Values

Responsibilities

Own hardware from “cradle to grave”, coordinating with other teams to rapidly iterate on and deliver quality avionics products. You will own your hardware products in both success and in failure, though in the case of the latter you can expect support and resources rather than reprimand

Translate high-level operational requirements into detailed electrical specifications and design documents

Perform trade studies and analyses to select optimal components, technologies, and design approaches

Ensure that development and testing is carried out in a safe and controlled manner, prioritizing the safety of employees and the astronaut crew above all else

Design and develop complex multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs) for flight hardware, adhering to rigorous space-grade standards

Schematic capture, component selection, and layout for high-reliability boards in a punishing space environment

Work with the PCB layout design team to help with the layout phase of design, and occasionally step up and layout a coupon or even flight PCB yourself

Perform signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC analysis to ensure robust designs

Conduct circuit analysis, worst-case analysis, fault tolerance analysis, and derating analysis

Utilize simulation tools (e.g., SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink) for design verification and optimization

Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for PCBs and integrated systems

Troubleshoot and debug hardware, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions

Support environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, radiation, EMC) and flight qualification campaigns

Generate clear and concise design documentation, test procedures, and reports

Participate in design reviews and provide technical guidance to junior engineers

Participate in design reviews for peer’s PCB designs

Work closely with cross-functional teams including software, mechanical, systems engineering, manufacturing, test, and operations to ensure seamless cooperation on bringing the design to its final integration, flight, and decommissioning

Communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Qualification

Electrical EngineeringPCB DesignSignal IntegritySimulation ToolsAnalog Circuit DesignDigital Circuit DesignMicrocontrollersFPGAsCommunication InterfacesHands-on EngineeringProblem-SolvingCommunication SkillsTeam Collaboration

Required

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field

2+ years of experience in electrical engineering, with a focus on system and PCB design

Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, KiCad)

Experience with analog and digital circuit design, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and communication interfaces (e.g., I2C, SPI, Ethernet, RS-422)

Strong understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC principles

Experience with simulation tools (eg. SPICE) to evaluate design decisions and de-risk new circuit designs before spending the money on hardware

Experience with hardware testing, troubleshooting, and debugging

Familiarity with audio electronics (speakers/microphones/amplifiers)

Able to lift 25 lbs unassisted

Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Preferred

Experience with high-reliability/fault-tolerant electronics for aerospace or defense applications

Familiarity with space-grade components and radiation effects

Experience with human-machine interface (HMI) design principles

Experience designing audio systems - whether professionally or for your home movie theater!

Experience designing lighting systems - whether professionally or for your spooky Halloween LED display!

Familiarity with complex system architectures

Experience with environmental testing for flight hardware

Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python) for automation and data analysis

Hands-on engineering - equal willingness to work at your desktop computer, with a soldering iron in the lab, and with a broom to clean up afterwards

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, and team-oriented environment

Excellent problem-solving and communication skills

Ability to independently but also collaboratively as a teammate to achieve ambitious goals

Willing to make mistakes, take responsibilities, work independently and be transparent about your work

Benefits

100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents

Flexible paid time off for exempt staff

Up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff

Paid parental leave

Short and long-term disability insurance

Life insurance

Access to a 401(k) retirement plan

One Medical membership

ClassPass credits

Personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health

Other discounts and perks

Exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge

Lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees

Company

Vast

Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure 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.

Founded in 2021

El Segundo, California, USA

501-1000 employees