Senior Harness Design Engineer

About the role

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. We are looking for a Harness Design Engineer to support the development of systems required for the design and manufacturing of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This full-time, exempt position is located in Long Beach.

Responsibilities

• Develop the electro-mechanical design of flight wire harnesses for the Haven space station.
• Develop the electro-mechanical design of development and test harnesses to support qualification testing efforts.
• Design and analyze complex electrical architectures and wire harness systems, including development of detailed wiring diagrams, connector layouts, and system integration documentation for multi-disciplinary spacecraft/vehicle electrical systems.
• Evaluate and implement power distribution and data communication strategies, ensuring proper signal integrity across mixed power/data pathways and selecting appropriate communication protocols (Ethernet, RS-422, USB, etc.) for system requirements.
• Develop system logic and control architectures, creating interface control documents (ICDs) and performing electrical analysis to ensure compatibility between subsystems, including power budgeting, load analysis, and signal routing optimization.
• Meet with multidisciplinary stakeholders to gather harness design objectives and requirements.
• Develop harness design and routing solutions with a 3D NX CAD environment.
• Provide great flight wire harness and vehicle/system level documentation.
• Perform analysis and physical testing of harnessing with respect to thermal, loads, vibration, and shock to ensure full qualification for flight.
• Document and communicate the design, analysis, and testing results thoroughly and clearly through design reviews.
• Interface with harness production and integration teams to ensure final harness designs can be produced and installed on schedule in accordance with overall project goals.
• Perform R&D investigations and trade studies to push wire harness design to new boundaries in terms of capabilities, mass savings, and cost savings.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in design-focused roles.
• 2+ years of experience with wire harness 3D design, wiring diagrams, and formboard creation.
• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience designing harnesses to IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC/WHMA-A-620-S, and NASA-STD-8739.4.
• Strong team working skills with a proven ability to effectively interact and collaborate with other engineering disciplines and excellent attention to detail.
• Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter.
• Wire harness component selection and qualification experience.
• General wire harness analysis, testing, and qualification experience.
• 2+ years of experience with harness design and manufacturing documentation.
• Capability to solve complex design problems within tight schedules and minimal supervision.
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and space exploration, with a strong desire to revolutionize wire harness design.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup atmosphere.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Strong sense of personal accountability and drive to succeed.

Additional Information

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls and must be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing.

Pay

California pay range: $135,000—$190,000 USD. Base salary varies depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand.

Benefits

• Company equity for full-time employees.
• 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 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.
• Other discounts and perks.
• Exceptional food perks: free snacks, drip coffee, onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals; subsidized lunch.