Solar Array Test Engineer
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 Solar Array Test Engineer, reporting to the Principal Power Systems Engineer, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Own the qualification program for non-space-heritage (terrestrial/COTS) photovoltaic cell technologies for space use
- Develop, author, and maintain test plans, procedures, and reports for solar array hardware at the coupon, panel, wing, and system levels
- Plan and execute test campaigns including thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, vibration (sine, random), shock, acoustic, static load, deployment, and life-cycle testing
- Plan and execute functional testing of solar array hardware, including flash testing, electroluminescence (EL) imaging, isolation resistance, and IV curve characterization
- Define test success criteria, instrumentation requirements, data acquisition configurations, and test-as-you-fly rationale for all solar array verification activities
- Coordinate and oversee testing at both internal facilities and external test labs
- Analyze test data, document results, identify anomalies, and lead troubleshooting and root cause investigations when test failures occur
- Determine applicable standards including AIAA S-111 (space solar cell qualification), AIAA S-112, SMC-S-016, and program-specific verification requirements
- Collaborate with solar array design, structures, thermal, power electronics, and mission assurance engineers to ensure test campaigns provide comprehensive design verification
- Support the development and buildout of internal test capabilities, fixturing, and ground support equipment (GSE) for solar array testing
- Present test readiness reviews, test results, and lessons learned at design reviews and to cross-functional stakeholders
- Author and maintain verification documentation through the product’s design lifecycle
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, physics, or related engineering discipline
- 5+ years of experience in hardware testing for satellites, spacecraft, or high-reliability aerospace systems
- Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation (thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, LVDTs), and test automation
- Hands-on experience planning and executing environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, or acoustic) on flight or qualification hardware
- Demonstrated experience authoring test plans, procedures, and test reports
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple parallel test campaigns and maintain meticulous documentation
- Working knowledge of photovoltaic device physics and space-environment degradation mechanisms
- Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent
- Effective communicator who thrives in a hands-on, hardware-rich environment and is comfortable working across engineering disciplines and with technician teams
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- 8+ years of experience in test engineering for satellite or spacecraft programs, with direct solar array or deployable structure test experience
- Experience executing test campaigns in compliance with SMC-S-016, AIAA S112, AIAA S-111, or equivalent military/NASA environmental test standards (e.g., GEVS, MIL-STD-1540)
- Experience with solar cell or photovoltaic module electrical characterization, including flash testing, IV curve analysis, and EL inspection
- Direct experience with solar cell radiation degradation testing (proton/electron irradiation) and EOL performance prediction
- Experience with AM0 solar simulator calibration
- Experience qualifying a non-space-heritage or COTS component/material for spaceflight use
- Experience developing custom test fixturing and GSE, including interfacing with machinists and technicians on fabrication
- Working knowledge of solar array design, construction, and failure modes
- Experience at a vertically integrated satellite company or fast-paced aerospace startup with high personal touch-time on hardware
- Design or modeling experience with NX, Teamcenter, or similar CAD/PLM tools for fixture and GSE design
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.
