Development Technician, Avionics Manufacturing at Vast

<div class="content-intro"><p>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.</p></div><p>Vast is looking for an <strong>Avionics Manufacturing Development Technician&nbsp;</strong>reporting to the <strong>Manager, Avionics Manufacturing</strong>, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. As a Development Technician, you will work closely with our engineering teams to execute highly technical electrical builds.</p> <p>This will be a <strong>full-time</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>non-exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Long Beach</strong>&nbsp;location.</p> <p><strong>Shift:</strong><strong><br></strong> 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM</p> <p><strong>Responsibilities:&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li>Build and integrate flight-quality wire harnesses in accordance with IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class 3 standards.</li> <li>Perform PCBA assembly and rework per J-STD-001, including fine-pitch components (e.g., 0402, high-density ICs), jumper installs, and debugging.</li> <li>Apply conformal coating to PCBAs, including masking, application, curing, and inspection per applicable standards.</li> <li>Perform potting, encapsulation, and bonding (polymeric processes) for electronic assemblies and harness terminations.</li> <li>Assemble and test electromechanical systems, racks, enclosures, and engineering development hardware.</li> <li>Support battery manufacturing and integration, including cell handling, pack assembly, insulation, and test operations.</li> <li>Collaborate closely with engineering to rapidly iterate designs, prototypes, and development hardware.</li> <li>Interpret and work from schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, and GD&amp;T.</li> <li>Verify hardware against requirements and document build, coating, and test results thoroughly.</li> <li>Assist in developing and improving manufacturing processes, including coating, potting, and assembly workflows for development and early production builds.</li> <li>Track and manage work progress to meet aggressive development schedules.</li> <li>Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, quality, and repeatability.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>2+ years of hands-on experience in one or more of the following: <ul> <li>Wire harness manufacturing (aerospace or commercial), preferably with D38999 connectors</li> <li>PCBA assembly and rework</li> <li>Electromechanical assembly</li> <li>Battery or energy storage system builds</li> <li>Conformal coating, potting, or encapsulation processes</li> </ul> </li> <li>Experience using electronics test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes, programmable power supplies, etc.)</li> <li>Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Skills &amp; Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Certifications or experience with: <ul> <li>IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Class 3)</li> <li>J-STD-001</li> <li>IPC-CC-830 (Conformal Coating)</li> <li>NASA STD 8739.4 (a plus)</li> </ul> </li> <li>5+ years of experience using hand tools and assembly equipment</li> <li>Experience with masking techniques, coating thickness control, curing processes, and inspection methods (UV/visual)</li> <li>Experience with potting materials (epoxies, silicones, urethanes), mixing/degassing, and cure profiles</li> <li>Experience working in high-mix, fast-paced development or production environments, especially with flight hardware</li> <li>Strong background across multiple disciplines: harnessing, PCBA, electromechanical, battery systems, and coatings</li> <li>Experience building prototypes and development hardware with frequent design iteration</li> <li>Familiarity with Atlassian tools (JIRA, Confluence, SVN)</li> <li>Basic understanding of electrical and electronic principles</li> <li>Strong attention to detail, quality, and documentation discipline</li> <li>Effective communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with engineering</li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical milestones</li> <li>Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted</li> </ul> <p><strong>Pay Range:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Avionics Manufacturing Technician I: $24.00 - $35.00</li> <li>Avionics Manufacturing Technician II: $28.00 - $40.00</li> <li>Avionics Manufacturing Technician III: $33.00 - $47.00</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$24</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$47 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><div style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS</strong></div> <div style="line-height: 1;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="line-height: 1;"> <div> <div data-qa="message_pane"> <div> <div id="message-list"> <div id="message-list"> <div data-qa="slack_kit_scrollbar"> <div> <div data-qa="slack_kit_list"> <div id="message-list_1770163429.476589" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="1770163429.476589"> <div data-qa="message_container" data-qa-unprocessed="false" data-qa-placeholder="false" data-msg-ts="1770163429.476589" data-msg-channel-id="D1T52LDR4"> <div data-qa-hover="true"> <div> <div> <div> <div data-qa="message_content"> <div> <div data-qa="message-text"> <div data-qa="block-kit-renderer"> <div> <div> <div>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, 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 &amp; 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.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="message-list_bottomSpacer" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="bottomSpacer"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="line-height: 1;"> <p><strong>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS</strong></p> 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 <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> 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.</div> <div style="line-height: 1;">&nbsp;</div> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong></p> <div style="line-height: 1;">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.</div></div>