Electrical Engineer - Crew Avionics

Vast is looking for an Electrical Engineer, Crew Avionics, reporting to the Manager of Human Interface Avionics, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. Use this space to describe the role and sell the candidate on the cool stuff they would get to work on. 

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

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.
• Analysis & Simulation:
• 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.
• Test & Verification:
• 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.
• Documentation & Review:
• 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.
• Collaboration:
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 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

Additional Requirements:

• Able to lift 25 lbs unassisted.
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Pay Range: 

• Electrical Design Engineer II: $110,000 - $142,100
• Senior Electrical Design Engineer: $135,800 - $176,400