Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and capital-efficient approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to support a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and supporting a growing space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to design, build, and operate its own spacecraft in orbit. Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo: Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Staff Flight Software Engineer, reporting to Senior Manager, Flight Software, 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.

You will develop fault-tolerant code for safety-critical systems, and work closely with the avionics team to integrate flight code with avionics hardware. Most importantly, you will work as part of a team that believes that finding and fixing errors is a positive experience that will make everyone’s work better, and makes the team stronger as we continuously improve our processes and products.

Responsibilities

Work with the Flight Software team to create highly reliable flight software for all Haven missions
Work cross functionally with all other disciplines GNC, Thermal, Propulsion, Power, and ECLSS to support algorithm implementation and integration into the flight software
Assess and critique code, ensuring adherence to best practices and established standards, in code reviews
Develop driver-level code to interface with radios, sensors, and actuators onboard for all Haven missions
Develop and maintain the Telemetry and Commanding Systems which will be used to communicate with our vehicles
Develop unit and integrated tests, and establish continuous integration framework for flight

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
10+ years of experience coding in C++

Preferred Qualifications

Fault-tolerant and safety-critical software design
Experience developing software for complex systems such as spacecraft, aircraft or autonomous vehicles
Experience working in a continuous build and test environment
Experience with Embedded Systems
Experience working with satellite communications or telemetry systems
Hands-on experience with serial protocols such as UART, CAN, I2C, SPI, and/or Ethernet (TCP/UDP)
Understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers
Network programming experience
Familiarity with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters
Familiarity with the Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence)
Familiarity with Git, Cmake, and GNU tools
Able to work in a Linux environment

Additional Requirements

Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range: California

$188,600—$267,700 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.