Avionics Manufacturing Specialist I

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 an Avionics Manufacturing Specialist I, reporting to the Manager of Avionics Manufacturing, 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.

As an Avionics Technician, you will work closely with our engineering teams to execute highly technical electrical builds.

Responsibilities:

• Work with avionics engineering by rapidly iterating electronic components and cables
• Construct superior wire cables, perform PCB assembly rework, assemble, and test racks/systems, electro-mechanical units, engineering enclosures, and test equipment
• Create and record testing systems and cable diagrams according to engineer-selected testing gear
• Collaborate closely with engineering to transform concepts into reality
• Monitor one's own work progress against established standards and deliver all work on schedule
• Examine, interpret, and use drawings and regulated documentation and procedures
• Understand intricate cable harnesses, wiring diagrams, mechanical and layout drawings, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing 
• Verify flight hardware and thoroughly document outcomes
• Aid in developing manufacturing processes for initial production runs
• Contribute to projects aimed at increasing operational efficiency in the area

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 5+ years of experience manufacturing wire harnesses in commercial, automotive, or aerospace industry
• 5+ years of experience using electronics equipment (e.g. programmable power supplies, DMMs, oscilloscopes, etc.)
• 5+ years of experience using basic mechanical and/or electronics hand tools
• Qualifications in NASA STD 8739.4, IPC-620, and J-STD-001

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Possession of an associate degree
• Previous involvement in a high-speed production environment, handling flight hardware
• Prior involvement in a high-output environment, involving hands-on experience in constructing cables, electro-mechanical devices, or building prototypes
• Ability to acclimate to frequently changing assignments and a fast-paced working environment
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, along with effective teamwork abilities
• Superb focus and attention to detail, with remarkable work efficiency and accuracy
• Experience with soldering PCBAs, including soldering in tight spaces such as 0402 packages and high-density ICs, installing jumpers, and performing dead-bugging
• Expertise in manufacturing and repairing intricate testing systems
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools such as SVN, Confluence, and JIRA
• Basic comprehension of electronic principles and theory
• Skills in project management

Additional Requirements:

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

Salary Range: California$80,000—$110,000 USDCOMPENSATION 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 char