Systems Engineer

Responsibilities

Technical Excellence: Lead the technical foundation of all design baselines through requirements definition, management, and traceability through major design reviews and verification campaigns

• Oversee the technical management of all products across multiple engineering disciplines, and drive product readiness and maturity through major milestones
• Establish and maintain product breakdown structures and engineering lifecycle documentation throughout the program
• Own the definition of verification & validation (V&V) plans to ensure high technical quality of inputs, outputs, and success criteria
• Review design implementations against requirements and drive resolution of non-compliances

Additional information

Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead company-wide guidance and standard on systems engineering principles. Influence technical decision-making and configuration changes that are comprehensive and consistent across all engineering disciplines

• Excel in communication of engineering progress through major milestones to drive strategic planning for responsible engineers, engineering managers, and program leaders
• Collaborate with design and flight reliability teams on making informed decisions based on mission risks, hazards, and functional performance of systems

Process Ownership: Drive streamlining systems engineering processes that enables both rapid iteration and development, as well as methodical planning of design compliance and traceability to technical and programmatic requirements

• Pioneer tools and systems that track key technical sources of truth across the program throughout all changes and milestones

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of experience in design ownership, systems integration, test engineering, of which at least 1+ years are systems engineering focused

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience in Responsible Engineering, Systems Engineering, or technical leadership roles on complex aerospace systems
• Comprehensive understanding of at least one core engineering discipline (Structures, Thermal, Avionics, Power, Flight Software, etc.)
• Hands-on experience with requirements and/or project management tools
• Experience leading design reviews (PDR, CDR) and verification campaigns
• Strong cross-disciplinary communication and technical leadership skills
• Strong systems-level intuition and the ability to create, own and drive systems engineering processes
• Background with spacecraft, aircraft, launch vehicles, or other mission- or safety-critical systems
• Familiarity with industry standards that drive space systems design and test
• Strong scripting and data analysis skills (Python, MATLAB, Excel) and familiarity with visualization tools (e.g., Tableau)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range

California $112,340—$159,468 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.