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.

Vast is looking for an RF Test Software Engineer, reporting to the Director, RF Engineering, to support the development of automated testing systems to support the manufacturing of avionics hardware through qualification and acceptance testing.Help us make the communication systems that will advance human spaceflight!

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

Responsibilities:

Develop Python software to perform automated testing of avionics hardware
Own lifecycle of software to test avionics HW through development, qualification, and acceptance testing of manufactured avionics hardware
Own integration of test equipment and avionics hardware under test, working closely with RF Test Engineers and RF Hardware Owners to resolve test software automation challenges
Support hardware, test, and avionics design engineers in defining test requirements and selecting test hardware
Develop documentation and user manuals for test engineer and test technician handover
Contribute to existing Python test automation framework and tooling
Support problem solving for anomalies encountered during test execution

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering / physical science discipline
Strong foundation of Object Oriented Programming in Python
3+ years of relevant experience
3+ years experience writing software to interface with instrumentation hardware (e.g. power supplies, measurement equipment, etc)
Familiarity with spectrum/signal analyzers, vector network analyzers, vector signal generators, power meters, and data acquisition modules (DAQ)
Familiarity with software version control such a GitHub (Git, Jira, etc)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Master’s Degree in ECE, EE, Physics, or related stem discipline.
Mission oriented mindset with a strong desire for team success.
Comfortable communicating deeply technical topics to a wide variety of audiences.
Familiarity with NASA SMC-S-016 test requirements
Familiarity with developing electronic instrumentation drivers using SCPI and pyVISA
Familiarity with power supplies, RF attenuators, RF switches, couplers, and diplexers
Able to work in a Linux environment, and understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers
Familiarity with Embedded Systems and understanding of C++

Additional Requirements:

Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range:

RF Test Software Engineer: $120,000 - $150,000
Senior RF Test Software Engineer: $140,000 - $180,000

Pay Range: California

$120,000—$180,000 USD

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: 100% 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.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

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 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 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.

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.

RF Test Software Engineer

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Benefits