Senior RF Systems Engineer

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo's 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a Senior RF Systems Engineer, reporting to the Director, RF Engineering, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

Own internal and vendor supported development of RF hardware products for crewed spacecraft

Develop component, subsystem, and flight article level test procedures used to guarantee the RF comm systems operate with the highest reliability on orbit.

Create RF subsystem requirements and guide design activities to meet them.

Carry out RF system design and analysis activities across disciplines.

Generate excellent documentation and effectively communicating technical information to team members and vendors with diverse backgrounds.

Contribute to a culture of extreme ownership by looking beyond the immediate performance of your RF subsystems and understanding its broad impact on other systems, teams, and all aspects of Vast.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering or related engineering discipline.

4+ years of experience in an RF engineering role.

Experience with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, VNAs, Power Meters, Signal Generators, etc.

Experience in software development: Matlab, Python, C/C++, or other programming languages.

Familiarity with RF communication system design & analysis.

Mission oriented mindset with a strong desire for team success.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

MS or PhD in electrical engineering or related engineering discipline.

Mission oriented mindset with a strong desire for team success.

Comfortable communicating deeply technical topics to a wide variety of audiences.

Experience in software development: Matlab, Python, C/C++, or other programming languages.

Experience with EDA software such as Altium Designer, KiCad, Eagle, PADS, etc

Experience conducting environmental test for avionics (shock, random vibration, thermal cycling, TVAC, EMI/EMC)

Knowledge of ionizing radiation and in space effects for electronics

Experience with serial communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, and I2C, RS-422/485

Understanding of RF modulation and media access control schemes such as BPSK, SOQPSK, GMSK, APSK, TDMA, FDMA, etc

Experience with ethernet, UDP, TCP, IP sockets and related networking protocols

Familiar with RF circuit and 3D EM simulation tools such as ADS, Microwave Office, CST, HFSS, etc.

Ability to thrive at an early-stage startup where you will have the opportunity to help define the way engineering is carried out while doing your own development work.

Pay Range: California

$150,000-$180,000 USD

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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner 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.