Solar Array Engineer

<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>Solar Array Engineer</strong>, reporting to the<strong> Principal Power Systems Engineer, </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>Define requirements and trade architectures of solar arrays.</li> <li>Select and qualify  materials and vendors for solar arrays.</li> <li>Develop and qualify processes for welding, adhesion, lamination of solar cells.</li> <li>Test and qualify designs to AIAA S112 standards. </li> <li>Interface with systems engineering, power electronics, structures, thermal, and mission assurance teams for end-to-end integration.</li> <li>Troubleshoot issues across the product lifecycle—from design through integration and testing.</li> <li>Participate in design reviews, drawing checks, and technical documentation for internal and NASA deliverables.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or related engineering discipline.</li> <li>Experience working with design, manufacture and verification of photovoltaics or similar composite structures.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Skills & Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience in the space industry, including developing, building, and testing solar arrays.</li> <li>Experience with space solar design and guidelines such as AIAA S111, S112.</li> <li>Proactive problem-solving skills such as failure analysis and root cause investigation.</li> <li>Prior experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.</li> <li>Design work in recent versions of NX, Teamcenter.</li> <li>Analysis work in  recent versions of Ansys, FeMap/Nastran, Abaqus, Thermal Desktop.</li> <li>Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5).</li> <li>Familiarity with spacecraft specifications such as SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001, and NASA-STD-5019.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Pay Range:</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Solar Array Engineer II: $112,000 - $159,000</li> <li>Senior Solar Array Engineer: $137,000 - $195,000</li> <li>Staff Solar Array Engineer: $162,000 - $230,000</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$112,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$230,000 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. 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 pai