Test Engineer, Structures Test

Vast is looking for a Test Engineer, reporting to the Director of Structures Test, 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. In this role, you will support the ongoing development of our Haven-1 space station module, with a primary focus on primary and secondary structures testing. You will work closely with design REs, test technicians, and other teams such as Manufacturing, Integration, and Avionics to meet design/mission requirements and industry standards.

Responsibilities: 

• Work under the direction of the Director of Structures Test to develop and execute testing on primary and secondary structure of the Haven-1 Space Station
• Mentor other engineers and technicians on the team
• Adhere to, enforce, and improve the test processes and good practices of Vast and the test organization
• Produce professional and traceable documentation, including electrical, mechanical, and fluid schematics of the test systems
• Work with responsible engineers to design, prepare, and execute test campaigns. This includes the manufacture of new test stands and/or operation of existing resources
• Perform all necessary design, analysis, and project management
• Conduct TRR (Test Readiness Review), PDR (Preliminary Design Review) and/or CDR (Critical Design Review) before all design/tests are started
• Find creative solutions to unique issues in order to save cost and schedule while improving overall quality and safety
• Come up with great ideas and be empowered to make them a reality
• Design, analyze, and own the test setup
• Continuous learning/Improvement—and share them with your team members
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline
• 3+ years of experience in an engineering environment (test, launch, manufacturing, etc.)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

•  Ability to design and perform product environmental testing based on the requirements provided in SMC-S-016, GEVS NASA-STD-7000a, MIL STD 810G. etc.
• Experience planning and executing engineering operations in a time-sensitive and high-risk environment
• Own assembly, checkouts and development test stands
• Ability to quickly understand and troubleshoot new/existing systems
• Experience writing and executing test plans/procedures in collaboration with design engineers
• Experience with designing and implementing instrumentation systems
• Experience in structural design and analysis of test fixtures
• Experience working across engineering groups to define requirements and implement solutions
• Execute deliverables based on prioritized implementation plans and timelines
• Ability to rapidly change priorities between several projects
• Identify key unknowns and quickly close knowledge gaps
• Deliver the highest value results quickly and iterate towards successive milestones
• Perform structured root cause analysis of test failures
• Experience designing and/or working with closed-loop control systems (hydraulic/ pressure systems)
• Experience with working with DAQ software i.e. NI, Beckoff, and/or Dewesoft
• Experience working with DAQ hardware i.e. NI, Beckoff, and/or Dewesoft
• Experience operating / working with high-pressure gas systems
• Experience generating test system P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) using Visio / Lucidchart or equivalent
• Experience with creating and maintaining project schedules with Smartsheet, Project or equivalent
• Experience with SVN, GIT, or other version management systems
• Experience with Teamcenter or other PLM systems
• Experience with CAD systems, NX preferable
• Experience with JIRA and/or Confluence
• Experience with selection of precision sensor and measurement devices (i.e. loadcells, thermocouples, pressure sensors, deflection transducers)
• Ability to thrive as an individual contributor and as part of a team
• Ability to add something unique and positive to our team
• Generally high level of all-around awesomeness

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to travel to our Mojave Test site (~25% of the time)
• Must be able to work varying hours/shifts and available for extended hours as well as weekends when needed
• Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and be able to maneuver in tight spaces; physically able to handle items weighing up to 25lbs (unassisted)
• Ability and desire to perform in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment