Test Engineer, Structures Test

Vast is looking for a Test Engineer, reporting to the Director of Structures Test, 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. In this role, you will support the ongoing development of our Haven-1 space station module, with a primary focus on primary and secondary structures testing. You will work closely with design REs, test technicians, and other teams such as Manufacturing, Integration, and Avionics to meet design/mission requirements and industry standards.

Responsibilities:

Work under the direction of the Director of Structures Test to develop and execute testing on primary and secondary structure of the Haven-1 Space Station

Mentor other engineers and technicians on the team

Adhere to, enforce, and improve the test processes and good practices of Vast and the test organization

Produce professional and traceable documentation, including electrical, mechanical, and fluid schematics of the test systems

Work with responsible engineers to design, prepare, and execute test campaigns. This includes the manufacture of new test stands and/or operation of existing resources

Perform all necessary design, analysis, and project management

Conduct TRR (Test Readiness Review), PDR (Preliminary Design Review) and/or CDR (Critical Design Review) before all design/tests are started

Find creative solutions to unique issues in order to save cost and schedule while improving overall quality and safety

Come up with great ideas and be empowered to make them a reality

Design, analyze, and own the test setup

Continuous learning/Improvement—and share them with your team members

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline

3+ years of experience in an engineering environment (test, launch, manufacturing, etc.)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Ability to design and perform product environmental testing based on the requirements provided in SMC-S-016, GEVS NASA-STD-7000a, MIL STD 810G. etc.

Experience planning and executing engineering operations in a time-sensitive and high-risk environment

Own assembly, checkouts and development test stands

Ability to quickly understand and troubleshoot new/existing systems

Experience writing and executing test plans/procedures in collaboration with design engineers

Experience with designing and implementing instrumentation systems

Experience in structural design and analysis of test fixtures

Experience working across engineering groups to define requirements and implement solutions

Execute deliverables based on prioritized implementation plans and timelines

Ability to rapidly change priorities between several projects

Identify key unknowns and quickly close knowledge gaps

Deliver the highest value results quickly and iterate towards successive milestones

Perform structured root cause analysis of test failures

Experience designing and/or working with closed-loop control systems (hydraulic/ pressure systems)

Experience with working with DAQ software i.e. NI, Beckoff, and/or Dewesoft

Experience working with DAQ hardware i.e. NI, Beckoff, and/or Dewesoft

Experience operating / working with high-pressure gas systems

Experience generating test system P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) using Visio / Lucidchart or equivalent

Experience with creating and maintaining project schedules with Smartsheet, Project or equivalent

Experience with SVN, GIT, or other version management systems

Experience with Teamcenter or other PLM systems

Experience with CAD systems, NX preferable

Experience with JIRA and/or Confluence

Experience with selection of precision sensor and measurement devices (i.e. loadcells, thermocouples, pressure sensors, deflection transducers)

Ability to thrive as an individual contributor and as part of a team

Ability to add something unique and positive to our team

Generally high level of all-around awesomeness

Additional Requirements:

Must be able to travel to our Mojave Test site (~25% of the time)

Must be able to work varying hours/shifts and available for extended hours as well as weekends when needed

Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and be able to maneuver in tight spaces; physically able to handle items weighing up to 25lbs (unassisted)

Ability and desire to perform in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment

Pay Range: California

$112,340—$195,552 USD