At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026. 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 a Senior Sensor Development Engineer to join our Avionics team and collaborate with the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) team to support sensor development for human-rated space stations. You will lead sensor selection, procurement, and qualification, while supporting the growth of Vast’s internal sensor development program.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for cradle-to-grave design, development, manufacture, and test of sensors and sensor systems specifically designed for Life Support Systems on the Haven-1 commercial space station, including O2 sensing, CO2 sensing, smoke/fire detection, and water quality and trace contaminant monitoring
- Architect new test infrastructure, complete data analysis/review, and interface with system owners
- Coordinate and execute acceptance and qualification testing of sensors
- Interface with sensor vendors for the selection of sensors for given applications
- Collect and document sensor requirements to communicate to vendors
- Work across teams (systems, integration, dynamics, guidance, etc.) to ensure appropriate sensors are developed to meet vehicle requirements
- Participate in design reviews
- Investigate sensor failures and communicate/execute recommended actions
Minimum Qualifications:
- 4+ years of experience and/or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, or Chemistry, Physics, or Biology
- 2+ years of experience in sensor design/development
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Optics modeling, design, or testing with an emphasis on laser diagnostics, photonics, and instrumentation
- Signal analysis common to spectroscopic techniques including FFT, frequency modulation, signal decomposition, and envelope filters
- Hands-on test experience and a demonstrated ability to use test equipment to rapidly diagnose sensor challenges and failure modes
- Comfortable working in a rapidly changing, high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time
- Unfazed by sudden changes in strategic business direction
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Pay Ranges:
- Senior Engineer: $150,000 - $170,000
- Staff Engineer: $160,000 - $200,000
Salary Range: California
$150,000—$200,000 USD
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and 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, and other discounts and perks.We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee, 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.
U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS
The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Top Skills
What We Do
Vast is developing artificial gravity space stations to expand humanity across the solar system.
Vast’s mission is to enable large populations of humans to live and work in space, permanently.
Our solar system has the resources and room for humanity to thrive and expand without destroying Earth’s biosphere. Unlocking these resources requires in-space infrastructure and industry at an unprecedented scale.
We are building a world-class team to engineer the human experience in space.
Why Work With Us
We're developing artificial gravity space stations to expand humanity across the solar system in order to enable large populations to live and work in space. Not only is what we're working on groundbreaking, but the team prides itself on living by our values of respect, curiosity, action, and excellence making it a lot more fun to achieve our goal.
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