Electric Propulsion Specialist

The role

You will work hands-on in the lab to assemble, wire, and test electric propulsion hardware. You will support the design and build of human-rated space stations by fabricating components and running vacuum chamber tests.

What you will do

• Fabricate, assemble, integrate, and test electric propulsion hardware
• Build, inspect, and repair electrical harnesses and cable assemblies
• Safely work on high-voltage systems and equipment
• Run, maintain, and troubleshoot vacuum chambers and pumping systems
• Set up and run thruster and component tests
• Machine fixtures, brackets, adapters, and test hardware on manual and/or CNC mills and lathes
• Diagnose electrical and mechanical problems using various testers
• Follow and help write work instructions, test procedures, and build travelers
• Keep the lab, tooling, and test areas clean, organized, and safe
• Work with engineering, quality, and other technicians to feed manufacturing and test lessons back into design

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience as an electrical, electromechanical, or test technician in aerospace, defense, research, or a similar high-reliability industry (or equivalent military experience)
• Demonstrated experience building wire harnesses and cable assemblies, including soldering, crimping, and connector termination
• Experience working safely on high-voltage systems or equipment
• Machining experience on manual and/or CNC mills and lathes
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted
• Ability to wear PPE as required, and to work in cleanrooms and confined spaces around test chambers

Nice to have

• Experience operating and maintaining high-vacuum systems, including roughing pumps, turbomolecular pumps, diffusion pumps, and/or cryopumps
• Experience with helium leak detection, vacuum gauges, and vacuum fittings (KF, CF, ISO)
• Experience with electric propulsion systems (Hall-effect, gridded ion, or similar) or plasma/high-voltage lab equipment
• Welding experience (TIG preferred), especially on stainless steel or thin-walled tubing
• Current IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001 (including Space Addendum), and/or NASA-STD-8739 certification
• Experience with precision cleaning, cleanroom work, or contamination control for flight hardware
• Experience with propellant feed systems, including tube bending, fittings, and pressure/leak testing
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings, including GD&T
• Experience with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation
• Familiarity with documenting work in an MES or similar system for manufacturing and quality records

Benefits

• Company equity
• 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
• Other discounts and perks
• Snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized

About the company

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, the company has more than 1,000 employees.