Senior Systems Engineer

A Senior Systems Engineer at Vast is responsible for negotiating between business and technical stakeholders to establish requirements for vehicle and system levels. This role involves managing a requirements framework to track progress, driving system-level architecture trades, and collaborating with various teams to own the fault management strategy for the artificial gravity space station. Ensuring program success through defined verification milestones and supporting technical project management to facilitate progress are also key aspects of the job.

To qualify for the Senior Systems Engineer role at Vast, candidates should have a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, combined with at least five years of demonstrated experience with space systems. Ideal candidates should showcase strong ownership of complex space products and a proven track record in systems engineering, particularly in aerospace or manned space flight programs.

At Vast, the work environment is dynamic and collaborative, situated in Long Beach, California. Senior Systems Engineers will work closely with a dedicated team focused on developing groundbreaking technology for space exploration. Flexibility is encouraged, and candidates should be prepared to work evenings or weekends to meet mission-critical milestones, contributing to a culture that emphasizes both responsibility and innovation.

The salary range for the Senior Systems Engineer role at Vast varies between $140,000 and $170,000 annually. Beyond base salary, Vast offers a comprehensive compensation package, including equity, full medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible paid time off, and various benefits that enhance employees' quality of life.

Vast is proud of its inclusive and mission-driven culture, where every employee contributes to groundbreaking work in space exploration. The company fosters an environment that encourages innovation, supports professional development, and emphasizes a healthy work-life balance, making it an exciting place for a Senior Systems Engineer to thrive.

When answering this question, discuss specific projects where you've driven design decisions, including the trade-offs you considered and how you collaborated with different stakeholders to finalize a system architecture. Highlight instances where your decisions led to improved reliability or performance.

Explain your approach to using a requirements management system to track and manage requirements effectively. Talk about how you ensure alignment between business objectives and technical needs, referencing your experience in negotiating between stakeholders.

Focus on specific methodologies you've employed in past projects to identify and address potential failure points. Discuss how you collaborated with mission assurance teams and created fault management strategies that enhanced the safety and reliability of the systems.

Talk about the processes you utilize to measure and analyze performance metrics in your previous roles. Highlight the importance of sensitivity analysis and how it influenced critical technical decisions in system development.

Share an instance where you played a pivotal role in enhancing systems engineering practices within your team or organization. Emphasize actions that led to improved verification and validation methodologies, showcasing your leadership abilities in fostering a systems engineering culture.

Reflect on specific challenges you've encountered in your projects, such as conflicting stakeholder interests or technical issues. Discuss how you addressed these challenges, emphasizing your problem-solving skills and ability to drive progress despite obstacles.

Describe your approach to prioritizing tasks, including how you assess urgency and importance. Discuss tools or techniques you use for tracking progress that enable you to maintain focus and manage deadlines effectively.

Emphasize the significance of teamwork in success as a systems engineer. Share insights gained from collaborating with cross-functional teams, focusing on communication, conflict resolution, and mutual support in achieving project goals.

Discuss communication strategies you have successfully implemented, such as regular updates, structured meetings, or collaborative platforms. Highlight how effective communication has played a vital role in aligning project goals and ensuring transparency among all stakeholders.

Articulate your understanding of verification and validation processes and their critical role in ensuring that systems meet defined requirements and perform correctly. Provide examples from your experience where verification and validation led to successful project outcomes.