Electric Propulsion Specialist

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a(n) Electric Propulsion Specialist, reporting to theDirector of Production, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, non-exempt position located in ourLong Beach location. 

As an Electric Propulsion Specialist, you'll work hands-on in the lab where our propulsion hardware gets built and tested. You'll work side by side with propulsion engineers to assemble, wire, and test electric propulsion hardware, from thrusters to the high-voltage power and harnessing that drives them. 

Responsibilities: 

• Fabricate, assemble, integrate, and test electric propulsion hardware, including thrusters, propellant feed components, power electronics, and test support equipment
• Build, inspect, and repair electrical harnesses and cable assemblies, including soldering, crimping, potting, splicing, lacing, and connector termination
• Safely work on high-voltage systems and equipment, following lockout/tagout, grounding, and other electrical safety practices
• Run, maintain, and troubleshoot vacuum chambers and pumping systems
• Set up and run thruster and component tests, including mounting hardware, routing instrumentation, checking out data acquisition systems, and monitoring tests
• Machine fixtures, brackets, adapters, and test hardware on manual and/or CNC mills and lathes from drawings or engineering sketches
• Diagnose electrical and mechanical problems using multimeters, hipot and insulation-resistance testers, oscilloscopes, and leak detectors
• Follow and help write work instructions, test procedures, and build travelers, and record as-built configurations and any non-conformances accurately
• Keep the lab, tooling, and test areas clean, organized, and safe, including inventory of consumables and spares
• Work with engineering, quality, and other technicians to feed manufacturing and test lessons back into design

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of hands-on experience as an electrical, electromechanical, or test technician in aerospace, defense, research, or a similar high-reliability industry (or equivalent military experience)
• Demonstrated experience building wire harnesses and cable assemblies, including soldering, crimping, and connector termination
• Experience working safely on high-voltage systems or equipment
• Machining experience on manual and/or CNC mills and lathes

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience operating and maintaining high-vacuum systems, including roughing pumps, turbomolecular pumps, diffusion pumps, and/or cryopumps
• Experience with helium leak detection, vacuum gauges, and vacuum fittings (KF, CF, ISO)
• Experience with electric propulsion systems (Hall-effect, gridded ion, or similar) or plasma/high-voltage lab equipment
• Welding experience (TIG preferred), especially on stainless steel or thin-walled tubing
• Current IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001 (including Space Addendum), and/or NASA-STD-8739 certification
• Experience with precision cleaning, cleanroom work, or contamination control for flight hardware
• Experience with propellant feed systems, including tube bending, fittings, and pressure/leak testing
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings, including GD&T
• Experience with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation
• Familiarity with documenting work in an MES or similar system for manufacturing and quality records
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality and safety
• Ability to work effectively in a team and to make sound independent judgments with limited information
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, balancing several tasks at once and adapting to changing priorities

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work overtime, extended shifts, or weekends to support critical test campaigns and mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to [50] lbs unassisted
• Ability to wear PPE as required, and to work in cleanrooms and confined spaces around test chambers
• Ability to travel up to [10]% of the time to support testing at vendor or external facilities

Pay Range: California

$42.97—$61 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

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: 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.

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.