Senior Power Systems Engineer

The posting, as Vast wrote it

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 Senior Power Systems Engineer , reporting to the Senior Manager, Avionics and Power Systems , to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of high power satellites.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities

• Own the satellite power system end to end, including architectural trades, functional and technical interface definitions (hardware and software), hierarchical requirements specification, and verification and validation planning and execution
• Serve as the technical authority for the spacecraft power system. Own flight readiness assessment, disposition nonconformances and waivers against the power system, and hold final sign-off authority on power system configuration for launch
• Define ground and flight power modes and own the power budget. Build and defend first-principles energy balance models that size generation, storage, and margin across orbit geometries, eclipse profiles, and off-nominal modes to verify power positivity, and justify the model fidelity chosen for the decision being made
• Decompose system requirements into unit-level requirements at the circuit and functional level, covering parameters such as voltage and current ranges, regulation and ripple, efficiency, inrush and fault current limits, protection and isolation, margin, and derating. Define and execute the corresponding verification, including test setup, instrumentation, pass/fail criteria, and data review, and determine whether results actually close the requirement
• Drive power-relevant design decisions across mechanical, thermal, propulsion, GNC, and flight software. Ca

[…]
Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 10% travel to support launch campaigns
• Comfortable balancing several projects at any given time with the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range: California
$112,340 — $195,552 USD

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.

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.