Senior Software Engineer, Backend

<div class="content-intro"><div style="font-family: 'Instrument Sans', 'Segoe UI', Trebuchet MS, Tahoma, sans-serif;"> <p style="line-height: 1.4;">Vast is developing next-generation <strong>space stations and space infrastructure</strong> 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 <strong>Vast Satellite</strong>, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.</p> <p style="line-height: 1.4;">Headquartered in<strong> Long Beach, California</strong>, 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.</p> </div></div><p>Vast is looking for a <strong>Senior Software Engineer</strong>, <strong>Backend</strong> reporting to the<strong> Senior Manager, Software Engineering </strong>to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.</p> <p>This will be a <strong>full-time</strong>, <strong>exempt </strong>position located in our <strong>Long Beach</strong> location. </p> <p><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services, tools, and pipelines supporting mission-critical security systems.</li> <li>Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to design and implement secure, high-performance services and APIs.</li> <li>Develop and maintain backend infrastructure for authentication, authorization, and secure data handling.</li> <li>Establish and promote best practices for backend architecture, security, and code quality at scale.</li> <li>Build systems that are reliable, observable, and capable of supporting a rapidly growing codebase and engineering team.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.</li> <li>6+ years of backend software engineering experience, with exposure to security-focused systems (e.g., IAM, API security, certificate management).</li> <li>Strong experience building and operating backend services in cloud environments.</li> <li>Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (Python, Go, Rust, C++, etc.).</li> <li>Solid understanding of distributed systems, API design, and backend architecture.</li> <li>Experience working in Linux environments, including command line and scripting.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Skills & Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience solving ambiguous, complex backend problems in fast-paced environments.</li> <li>Familiarity with DevOps practices and tools (Docker, Kubernetes).</li> <li>Experience designing and scaling APIs and microservices.</li> <li>Background in one or more security domains (e.g., cryptography, network security, infrastructure security).</li> <li>Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.</li> <li>Ownership mindset with a bias toward action and continuous improvement.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.</li> <li>Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.</li> <li>Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.</li> <li>Specific certifications, as appropriate.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Pay Range: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Senior Software Engineer, Backend: $159,000 - $226,000</li> <li>Staff Software Engineer, Backend: $188,600 - $267,000</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$159,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$267,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><div style="font-family: 'Instrument Sans', 'Segoe UI', Trebuchet MS, Tahoma, sans-serif;"> <p style="line-height: 1; font-size: 14px;"><em>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.</em></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"> </p> <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.