Avionics Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Array

Vast is looking for an Avionics Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Array reporting to the Avionics Manufacturing Manager, 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.

As an Avionics Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Array you will play a unique and crucial role in bringing solar arrays and other avionics hardware from design into full-scale production for our portfolio of space products. Partnering with cross-functional teams of design/test engineers and technicians, you will drive this hardware through assembly and test, ensuring it meets the highest standards of quality and reliability while contributing to the overall success of the business

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with design teams to provide professional feedback on the manufacturability and assembly processes of solar arrays for crewed stations and satellites.
• Support new product introduction by developing the manufacturing processes needed for solar array production and integration.
• Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent, accurate production of solar arrays and other avionics hardware.
• Design and implement tooling to improve production and test processes, aid inspection, and ensure safety.
• Support environmental and deployment testing of solar arrays throughout development, acceptance, and qualification campaigns.
• Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges by conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions (RCCA).
• Drive process and product improvements that meet integration timelines and improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality components, reviewing and approving their manufacturing processes.
• Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards.
• Participate in design reviews, offering insights that improve the manufacturability and reliability of this hardware.
• Partner with quality assurance teams to establish and maintain rigorous quality control processes for the manufacturing organization.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues on manufacturing best practices, and collaborate across the team on documentation review and product support.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall product quality.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to drive innovation within the company.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in solar array manufacturing, including processes such as bonding, composite fabrication, harness manufacturing, and electro-mechanical assembly.
• Experience in tooling and ground support equipment (GSE) design and/or manufacturing.
• Project management experience, with the ability to own deliverables and meet key milestone deadlines.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Strong understanding of adhesive bonding, composite fabrication, harnessing, and tooling manufacturing processes, with hands-on assembly techniques specific to solar arrays.
• Experience with cell-level processes such as IV testing, binning, and coverglass-interconnected-cell (CIC) lay-up and lamination.
• Experience with stringer machine technology for cell alignment, tabbing, and soldering. Hands-on experience operating, programming or maintaining a stringer machine is a strong plus.
• Experience with composite substrate and panel fabrication is a plus.
• Familiarity with the design, routing, and integration of wire harnesses, including strain relief and termination to array’s power bus.
• Experience designing and manufacturing tooling, ground support equipment (GSE), and test equipment to support production and acceptance testing.
• Experience with thermal vacuum, electrical performance, and deployment testing of solar arrays and test coupons.
• Familiarity with acceptance criteria, and rework/repair procedures, for solar cells and completed arrays.
• Experience authoring work instructions for the manufacturing, inspection, and testing of solar arrays and related avionics hardware.
• Experience documenting nonconformances, driving dispositions, and implementing corrective actions.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., Siemens NX) for reviewing designs and generating manufacturing documentation.
• Familiarity with industry standards relevant to solar arrays and avionics manufacturing, such as IPC/WHMA-A-620 (harnesses), IPC-A-610 (electronic assemblies), and NASA workmanship standards..
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead structured root cause analysis.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on experience testing and troubleshooting solar array systems.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality, flight-worthy hardware.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) from prototype through production.
• Ability to provide clear, actionable design-for-manufacturing (DFM) feedback to engineering teams.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Familiarity with working in ESD and cleanroom environments ( ISO 7 or ISO 8).
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.