Sensor Development Engineer

Sensor Development Engineer I

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Sensor Development, you will support the development of systems required for designing and building artificial‑gravity human‑rated space stations. As part of the Sensor Development Team, you will collaborate with Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS), Avionics, and Flight Software to design and execute next‑generation sensors for low‑earth orbit.

This is a full‑time, exempt position located at Long Beach.

• Design, build, and validate test stands for the sensor development team.
• Coordinate with the Embedded Software, ECLSS Test, and AVI Test teams to implement best practices for unique sensor requirements.
• Participate in sensor design for the Haven program, contributing unique ideas to environmental sensing in low‑earth orbit.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering, or in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or related subfields.
• Project or coursework experience designing, building, and testing sensors.

• 1+ years experience designing, building, and testing sensors.
• Hands‑on experience with optics, lasers, piezoelectric materials, and electrochemical cells.
• Hands‑on experience with scientific instrumentation including lock‑in amplifiers, waveform generators, oscilloscopes, power supplies, and spectrum analyzers.
• Hands‑on experience with spectroscopic instrumentation such as UV‑VIS spectrometers, mass spectrometers, nuclear magnetic resonance instruments, and FTIR or Raman spectrometers.
• Experience using standard data acquisition platforms such as Lab View, Simulink, and Beckhoff.
• Comfortable using CAD for 3D printing.
• Comfortable working in a high‑stress environment, balancing several projects and adjusting to abrupt changes in strategic direction.

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.

Pay Range (California): $86,000 – $122,000 USD. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package which also includes equity, medical, dental, vision coverage, paid time off, parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k), Class Pass credits, mental health care, and food perks.

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and 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, and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.