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 Solar Array Test Engineer. The team has one opening available at L2, Senior, or Staff level . This role will be reporting to the Principal Power Systems Engineer , 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.
Responsibilities:
Own the qualification program for non-space-heritage (terrestrial/COTS) photovoltaic cell technologies for space use
Develop, author, and maintain test plans, procedures, and reports for solar array hardware at the coupon, panel, wing, and system levels
Plan and execute test campaigns including thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, vibration (sine, random), shock, acoustic, static load, deployment, and life-cycle testing
Plan and execute functional testing of solar array hardware, including flash testing, electroluminescence (EL) imaging, isolation resistance, and IV curve characterization
Define test success criteria, instrumentation requirements, data acquisition configurations, and test-as-you-fly rationale for all solar array verification activities
Coordinate and oversee testing at both internal facilities and external test labs
Analyze test data, document results, identify anomalies, and lead troubleshooting and root cause investigations when test failures occur
Determine applicable standards including AIAA S-111 (space solar cell qualification), AIAA S-112, SMC-S-016, and program-specific verification requirements
Collaborate with solar array design, structures, thermal, power electronics, and mission assurance engineers to ensure test campaigns provide comprehensive design verification
Support the development and buildout of internal test capabilities, fixturing, and ground support equipment (GSE) for solar array testing
Present test readiness reviews, test results, and lessons learned at design reviews and to cross-functional stakeholders
Author and maintain verification documentation through the product’s design lifecycle
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, physics, or related engineering discipline
5+ years of experience in hardware testing for satellites, spacecraft, or high-reliability aerospace systems
Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation (thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, LVDTs), and test automation
Hands-on experience planning and executing environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, or acoustic) on flight or qualification hardware
Demonstrated experience authoring test plans,…