Solar Array Engineer

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Pay Range

• Solar Array Engineer II: $112,000 - $159,000
• Senior Solar Array Engineer: $137,000 - $195,000
• Staff Solar Array Engineer: $162,000 - $230,000

Pay Range

California $112,000—$230,000 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

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.