Controls and Automation Engineer II

Vast is looking for a(n) Controls & Automation Engineer II, reporting to the Manager, Controls & Automation, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a data acquisition and controls stack to support a wide range of partnering test teams at the Long Beach site—creating software tools and setting standards for test assets and practices.
• Design, implement, and own complex control systems for testing space-rated hardware, with responsibility for both hardware and software components.
• Collaborate across disciplines—including software, thermal, manufacturing, propulsion, ECLSS, and mechanical test teams—to drive robust testing practices, gather upgrade requests, and define new capabilities for the test stack.
• Troubleshoot and debug test assets to resolve issues quickly and ensure optimal test system performance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of applied experience with programmable logic controllers or similar embedded systems.
• Working knowledge of supporting engineering skills (Wire Harnessing, electrical diagrams, signal processing).

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 2+ years of experience with TwinCat programming and Beckhoff hardware.
• 2+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting and debugging mechanical, electrical, and software issues.
• Coding proficiency in one or more languages (Python, C#, C++, JS, ST, etc.)
• Working knowledge of version control (Git, GitLab) and software development.
• Working knowledge of instrumentation selection.
• Familiarity with the processes behind spaceflight testing (ATP/QTP).
• Understanding of industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, Profinet, etc)
• Understanding of industrial standards (UL508A, NFPA 70, ISO 13849, etc).

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.

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.

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.