VP, Avionics

The VP of Avionics at Vast is responsible for developing and executing the strategic roadmap for avionics in our human-rated spacecraft. This includes recruiting a high-performing team, collaborating with engineering leaders, and overseeing the certification and testing of avionics systems to ensure safety and performance.

Candidates for the VP of Avionics at Vast should hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, along with at least 10 years of experience in avionics system development and 5 years in a senior leadership role. Strong leadership and communication skills are necessary, along with a demonstrated ability to manage large-scale projects.

The VP of Avionics will collaborate with various engineering teams, manage electronics development from concept through certification, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and foster a culture of technical excellence and teamwork within the avionics department.

As a VP of Avionics at Vast, you will receive competitive compensation, including a base salary ranging from $250k to $300k, equity in the company, comprehensive health coverage, paid time off, and unique perks like free meals and wellness programs.

The VP of Avionics plays a crucial role in advancing Vast's mission of creating artificial gravity space stations. By overseeing avionics development, you'll help ensure the safety and functionality of technology needed for sustainable human activity in space, ultimately enhancing life beyond Earth.

In your response, mention specific projects you've led, including the technologies involved, your role in development phases, and how you ensured compliance with safety standards. Highlight skills in teamwork and problem-solving.

Discuss your philosophy on leadership, emphasizing communication, collaboration, and empowerment. Provide examples of how you have previously built and guided high-performing teams, and mention any strategies for fostering diversity.

Articulate how you would measure success through key performance indicators like project milestones, team engagement, and successful integration of avionics technologies. Stress the importance of aligning with corporate objectives.

Share your strategies for professional development, such as attending industry conferences, participating in relevant training, and maintaining relationships with regulatory bodies to ensure you’re always informed of changes impacting avionics.

Provide a specific example, outlining the challenge, your thought process in addressing it, and the successful outcome. This highlights your problem-solving abilities and capability to thrive under pressure.

Discuss your project management methodology, emphasizing early planning, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement practices. Highlight specific tools or frameworks you utilize.

Mention your approach to conflict resolution, such as fostering open communication, mediating discussions, and focusing on finding common ground. Provide an example where you successfully resolved conflict in a past role.

Provide details on a project where you successfully integrated new avionics technologies. Discuss how you ensured compatibility, performance, and safety, as well as how you communicated these changes to the team.

Explain your commitment to continuous improvement by discussing methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma, providing examples of how these practices have improved processes in your experience.

Discuss your commitment to quality by mentioning specific practices such as rigorous testing protocols, stakeholder feedback loops, and adherence to regulatory requirements as part of the quality assurance process.