Senior Solar Array Engineer

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in August 2025. 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 a Senior Solar Array Engineer, reporting to the Sr Director of Power Systems,to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. The Solar Array Engineer is responsible for the design, analysis, performance, qualification, and flight operation of the station solar arrays.

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

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop advanced solar array systems for the first commercial space station
• Complete and document technical surveys of solar array technology for next generation space stations
• Own cell selection for optimized for power and cost considering a wide array of technologies
• Optimize solar array primary structure, photovoltaic optics and laminates, array layout, and harnessing
• Model cost, performance, and manufacturability of solar array hardware
• Verify solar array in-space performance through performance testing, environmental testing, and verify manufacturing quality
• Perform due diligence on designs including reliability calculations, FEA, FMEA, and DFMEA
• Coordinate design effort across multiple teams and vendors

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience with solar photovoltaic module design
• Technical experience with photovoltaic devices including III-V and silicon solar cells
• Familiarity with spacecraft solar arrays and the space environment
• Experience in mechanical CAD and FEA software tools
• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other electromechanical engineering discipline

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in solar array systems for space vehicles across the product lifetime including array design, development, test, in flight operation, and anomaly resolution
• Familiarity with solar array design standards such as AIAA, ESA, or NASA standards
• Detailed understanding of space solar array acceptance and qualification testing and applicable standards
• Detailed knowledge of test methods for photovoltaic devices including III-V and silicon solar cells
• Experience managing vendors or suppliers and associated contracts such that products are delivered on schedule and at cost
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to make independent judgments with limited information
• Communication skills for relaying data (verbally and in-writing) between other employees, vendors, and customers
• Logical and strategic approach to solving problems
• Comfortable working in a high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time, and the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
• Specific certifications, as appropriate

Salary Range: California

$140,000—$170,000 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, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 15 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, free catered meals and snacks and beverages, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.

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.