RF Test Engineer

About Vast

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero‑gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven‑1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low‑Earth orbit in 2026.

We are looking for an RF Test Engineer reporting to the Director, RF Engineering
. The role supports development of the systems required for design and build of artificial‑gravity human‑rated space stations. The RF Test Engineer will help develop and deploy creative test solutions for complex RF communications and antenna systems.

This is a full‑time, exempt position located in our Long Beach office.

• Work closely with RF and antenna engineers to design and build state‑of‑the‑art automated test systems for component‑level and vehicle‑level applications.
• Develop test automation software for test instruments, data processing, test sequencing, and reporting.
• Define RF test system requirements and specifications.
• Support spacecraft RF test activities such as OTA, EMI/EMC, antenna pattern measurement, and system checkouts.
• Conduct environmental tests on RF hardware (thermal cycling, TVAC, random vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, humidity, etc.) and support spacecraft integration test in cleanroom facilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in ECE, EE, Physics, or related STEM discipline.
• 2+ years in an RF design and/or test role.
• Experience with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Network Analyzers, Signal Generators, Communications Test Systems, Power Meters, etc.

• MS in ECE, EE, Physics, or related STEM discipline.
• Mission‑oriented mindset with a strong desire for team success.
• Comfortable communicating deeply technical topics to a wide variety of audiences.
• Experience with GNU Radio and software‑defined radios (SDRs).
• Understanding of RF modulation and media access control schemes such as BPSK, SOQPSK, GMSK, APSK, TDMA, FDMA, etc.
• Familiarity with IP networking and Ethernet‑connected test instruments.
• Experience with serial communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, I2C, RS‑422/485.
• Understanding of RF schematics and RF electronics manufacturing.
• Experience with software development: MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, C/C++.
• Familiarity with space‑rated avionics test standards such as SMC‑S‑016, GSFC‑STD‑7000, MIL‑STD‑461.

$120,000 – $170,000 USD (California)

Base salary is complemented by company equity, comprehensive benefits and perks, including 100 % medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents; flexible paid time off; paid parental leave; disability insurance; life insurance; access to a 401(k) retirement plan;
One Medical membership;
Class Pass credits; personalized mental health care; and additional food and meal perks.

Access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls is required. Candidates must be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing.

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment 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.