Manager, PCB Design

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo's 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a Manager, PCB Design, reporting to the Senior Manager, Avionics Engineering, 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: 

• Lead and manage the PCB Design Team, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery of PCB designs that meet project requirements.
• Collaborate closely with engineers and cross-functional teams to translate system requirements into PCB designs.
• Oversee the design and layout of custom printed circuit boards, adhering to IPC design standards and guidelines.
• Manage relationships with vendors, ensuring PCB stack-up and routing meet design for manufacturing (DFM) guidelines.
• Ensure the team's designs meet all necessary design requirements, including high-speed, impedance-controlled stack-up, and multi-layer board layout standards.
• Lead the generation of necessary artworks and drawings for fabrication and assembly.
• Develop, refine, and implement team processes for PCB design, part creation, and library/database management.
• Maintain and oversee design workflows within Altium Vault, ensuring best practices are followed.
• Mentor and train team members in PCB layout best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Identify and implement opportunities for automation within the PCB design process, including script development.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a technical field + 5+ years of PCB design experience OR 8+ years of PCB design experience in lieu of degree
• Extensive experience with Altium Designer CAD tool and PCB library management.
• Proven track record of designing high-speed, impedance-controlled stack-ups and multi-layer board layouts.
• In-depth knowledge of fine pitch BGA routing, including blind and buried vias, multi-rail power delivery, and high-speed signal integrity constraints.
• Experience in managing design constraints, including trace length matching and spacing rules.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 1+ years in a leadership role
• Extensive experience with PCB library management, component generation, high-speed digital and mixed signal board layout, floor planning.
• Strong knowledge of IPC 2221A, IPC 6012 Class 3, and IPC 7351 standards.
• Experience with various board types, including high-density digital designs with 14 layers or more, power electronics, flex circuits, and RF circuits.
• Deep understanding of PCB fabrication processes, limitations, design rules, and industry best practices.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with a proven ability to manage and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Additional Requirements:

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

Pay Range:

Manager, PCB Design: $137,760 - $195,552

Senior Manager, PCB Design: $162,360 - $230,472

Pay Range: California

$137,760—$230,472 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.