Staff Validation Engineer

Vast is looking for a Staff Validation Engineer, reporting to the Director, Avionics Test & Flight Software Test, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and maintain a consolidated framework for defining, reviewing, and tracking System and Component Verification & Validation (V&V) plans
• Work with Component and System engineers to produce robust V&V plans from component level through to integrated vehicle validation efforts
• Serve as an interface to wider Avionics & Flight Software test teams, providing guidance to Component and System engineers on best practices and methodologies for validating requirements
• Work with Mission Assurance and Systems Engineering teams to ensure that V&V plans are linked back to requirements, providing analysis of validation coverage for the spacecraft
• Own and run Test Planning and Test Readiness reviews with cross-functional teams where test coverage and implementation plans are critically evaluated
• Provide a forecasting signal for Test Hardware and Test Software development teams to plan capability development in line with V&V plans
• Develop and maintain a framework for producing, peer-reviewing, and recording validation reports; work with respective component and system owners to ensure reports are produced and approved according to spacecraft program timing needs
• Coordinate with Software Automation teams to develop a reporting framework so that progress and health of V&V plans can be monitored in real time
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify efficiencies in collective test plans and initiate activities to exploit such opportunities

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering / hard science discipline
• 10+ years of engineering experience focused on hardware test & validation

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Detailed knowledge of spacecraft engineering and avionics systems
• Experience with System-V methodology and developing validation and verification plans within an engineering discipline
• Experience with relevant aerospace testing standards (e.g. SMC-S-016)
• Knowledge of system and subsystem test methodologies (e.g. component testing, Hardware-in-the-Loop testing)
• Knowledge of test automation systems and associated hardware
• Proven experience leading and influencing cross-functional teams to affect process change across a wider organization
• Strong planning and documentation skills

Additional Requirements:

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