Test Instrumentation Engineer

<div class="content-intro"><p>At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. 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.</p></div><p>Vast is looking for a <strong>Test</strong> <strong>Instrumentation Engineer</strong>, reporting to the<strong> Senior Manager, Engineering (E-2), </strong>to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design, build, and test of the E-2 LOX/Kerosene oxidizer-rich staged combustion engine.</p> <p>This will be a full-time, <strong>exempt</strong> position located at our <strong>Mojave Test Site</strong> location. </p> <p><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></p> <ul> <li>This role encompasses two core responsibilities: serving as a console operator during hazardous operations and owning the instrumentation, EGSE, and DAQ systems on the test stand.</li> <li>Serve as Test Conductor and Test Director during static fire testing of the E-2 engine, ensuring safe and disciplined execution of test operations.</li> <li>Plan, coordinate, and lead hazardous operations involving high-pressure systems, cryogenic fluids, and rocket propulsion hardware.</li> <li>Maintain and oversee test stand instrumentation and control systems across rocket engine and component test facilities.</li> <li>Develop, update, and maintain electrical schematics for test stand instrumentation and control systems.</li> <li>Manage instrumentation calibration records, ensuring traceability, accuracy, and compliance with required standards.</li> <li>Oversee calibration equipment inventory, usage, and maintenance, including coordination of recalibration activities.</li> <li>Collaborate with skilled technicians to design, build, test, maintain, and troubleshoot Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE).</li> <li>Troubleshoot and resolve electrical, mechanical, and software-related issues on test stands to ensure operational readiness.</li> <li>Identify and implement continuous improvements to enhance safety, reliability, and operational efficiency at the test site.</li> <li>Support and participate in Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), including verification of test objectives, procedures, and safety requirements.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.</li> <li>2+ years of experience working with instrumentation and control systems in an operational, design, or development capacity, preferably in test stand or industrial environments. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Skills &amp; Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience with industrial sensors and instrumentation, including strain gauges, IEPE accelerometers, thermocouples (TCs), RTDs, and 4–20 mA current loop systems.</li> <li>Ability to read, interpret, and work from technical documentation, including wiring diagrams, sensor datasheets, equipment manuals, and system schematics.</li> <li>Ability to read and interpret plumbing and instrumentation diagrams (P&amp;IDs).</li> <li>Experience with National Instruments (NI) hardware and LabVIEW-based data acquisition and control systems.</li> <li>Proficiency in programming and scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, C/C++, SQL, and Git for version control.</li> <li>Experience working with high-pressure fluid and gas systems, including safe operation, monitoring, and troubleshooting.</li> <li>Ability to analyze operational or test data and implement corrective actions based on findings.</li> <li>Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter.</li> <li>Familiarity with Jira and Confluence for workflow tracking and technical documentation.</li> <li>Strong attention to detail with a high level of accountability and ownership of work.</li> <li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively in team environments.</li> <li>Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with rapidly changing priorities.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.</li> <li>Flexibility required as hours can vary depending on operational needs.</li> <li>Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Pay Range:</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Test Instrumentation Engineer I: $86,000 - $120,000</li> <li>Test Instrumentation Engineer II: $110,000 - $155,000</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$86,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$155,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS<br></strong><br>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 &amp; 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.</p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong><br>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS<br><br></strong>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 <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> 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.<br><br></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong><br><br>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.</p></div>