Solar Array 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 for government, corporate, and private customers. As a Solar Array Engineer, you will support the development of systems required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This is a full-time, exempt position located in Long Beach.

Responsibilities

• Define requirements and trade architectures of solar arrays.
• Select and qualify materials and vendors for solar arrays.
• Develop and qualify processes for welding, adhesion, lamination of solar cells.
• Test and qualify designs to AIAA S112 standards.
• Interface with systems engineering, power electronics, structures, thermal, and mission assurance teams for end-to-end integration.
• Troubleshoot issues across the product lifecycle—from design through integration and testing.
• Participate in design reviews, drawing checks, and technical documentation for internal and NASA deliverables.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Experience working with design, manufacture, and verification of photovoltaics or similar composite structures.
• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience in the space industry, including developing, building, and testing solar arrays.
• Experience with space solar design and guidelines such as AIAA S111, S112.
• Proactive problem-solving skills such as failure analysis and root cause investigation.
• Prior experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Design work in recent versions of NX, Teamcenter.
• Analysis work in recent versions of Ansys, FeMap/Nastran, Abaqus, Thermal Desktop.
• Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5).
• Familiarity with spacecraft specifications such as SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001, and NASA-STD-5019.

Pay

Solar Array Engineer II: $110,000 - $140,000
Senior Solar Array Engineer: $140,000 - $175,000

Benefits

• 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.
• Company equity.
• 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.

U.S. export control compliance: The person hired must be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing.