Controls and Automation Engineer II

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(n) Controls & Automation Engineer II, reporting to the Manager, Controls & Automation, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

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

• Develop and maintain a data acquisition and controls stack to support a wide range of partnering test teams at the Long Beach site—creating software tools and setting standards for test assets and practices.

• Design, implement, and own complex control systems for testing space-rated hardware, with responsibility for both hardware and software components.

• Collaborate across disciplines—including software, thermal, manufacturing, propulsion, ECLSS, and mechanical test teams—to drive robust testing practices, gather upgrade requests, and define new capabilities for the test stack.

• Troubleshoot and debug test assets to resolve issues quickly and ensure optimal test system performance.

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline.

• 3+ years of applied experience with programmable logic controllers or similar embedded systems.

• Working knowledge of supporting engineering skills (Wire Harnessing, electrical diagrams, signal processing).

• 2+ years of experience with TwinCat programming and Beckhoff hardware.

• 2+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting and debugging mechanical, electrical, and software issues.

• Coding proficiency in one or more languages (Python, C#, C++, JS, ST, etc.)

• Working knowledge of version control (Git, GitLab) and software development.

• Working knowledge of instrumentation selection.

• Familiarity with the processes behind spaceflight testing (ATP/QTP).

• Understanding of industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, Profinet, etc)

• Understanding of industrial standards (UL508A, NFPA 70, ISO 13849, etc).

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.

Pay Range: California

$120,540—$171,100 USD

Base salary will