Senior Systems Engineer

Vast

$137K — $195K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Systems Engineering or related field
  • 4+ years of experience in design ownership and systems integration
  • At least 1+ years focused specifically on systems engineering
  • Expertise in one core engineering discipline like Structures or Avionics
  • Experience with project management tools and leading design reviews

Responsibilities

  • Lead design baselines through requirement definition and management
  • Oversee technical product management across engineering disciplines
  • Maintain product breakdown structures and lifecycle documentation
  • Define verification & validation plans for technical quality
  • Communicate engineering progress to drive strategic planning
  • Collaborate on mission risk assessment and design decisions
  • Streamline engineering processes for rapid iteration and compliance

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
  • 20+ days of vacation and ability to cash-out unused vacation
  • Paid parental leave and disability insurance
  • Life insurance and access to a 401(k) retirement plan
  • Free onsite meals and snacks, along with ClassPass credits
  • Personalized mental healthcare services and other perks
Full Job Description
Vast is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer, reporting to the Vice President of Flight Safety and Mission Assurance, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of the world's first human-rated commercial space stations

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

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

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
  • 4+ 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:
  • Senior Systems Engineer: $137,760 - $195,552
  • Staff Systems Engineer: $162,360 - $230,472


Pay Range: California

$137,760-$230,472 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: 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 STATUSThe 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.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Vast

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Senior Systems Engineer jobs: