Okay, I've searched for Senior Mechanical Design Engineer roles specializing in electronics packaging in Long Beach, CA. These full-time positions require 5+ years experience in aerospace or mechanical engineering and skills in 3D CAD and GD&T. I have found 62 positions matching your criteria.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Electronics Packaging role at Vast is fundamentally about ensuring the reliable and robust integration of avionics systems within human-rated, artificial-gravity space stations—a highly complex and safety-critical environment. This position demands not only expertise in mechanical design but also a deep understanding of the interplay between mechanical structures and sensitive electronic components in extreme and harsh space conditions, such as vacuum, radiation, vibration, and temperature extremes. The role requires the candidate to engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration with electrical engineers and systems teams to define interfaces, execute design trade studies, and validate product requirements through rigorous testing and analysis. Hands-on skills with 3D CAD (preferably NX), GD&T standards, and simulation tools (ANSYS or similar) are critical to deliver designs that meet stringent reliability and quality standards. The successful engineer must navigate complex trade-offs involving thermal, structural, and mechanical factors while maintaining compliance with aerospace and space standards like IPC, MIL-STD, and NASA protocols. Autonomy, rigorous attention to detail, and an aptitude for navigating ambiguity are essential as the engineer will influence product lifecycle from concept through qualification and integration on a path to mission launch readiness. Success in this role translates to robust avionics packaging solutions that withstand the rigors of spaceflight, supporting Vast's goal of safely launching the world’s first commercial space station. The role also entails occasional overtime demands to meet critical mission milestones, reflecting the high-stakes, timeline-driven nature of the aerospace industry.

Company Analysis:

Vast is a pioneering startup in the rapidly evolving commercial space industry, positioning itself as a visionary leader aiming to redefine human habitation beyond Earth through artificial gravity space stations. Founded recently in 2021 yet moving quickly toward a historic 2026 commercial launch, Vast exemplifies a high-growth, mission-driven culture fueled by innovation and technical excellence. The company’s environment likely demands agility, resilience, and a relentless commitment to safety and quality, given the technical challenges and regulatory scrutiny of crewed spaceflight. For a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, this means working within a collaborative yet intense team setting where cross-disciplinary coordination and transparency are crucial. With leadership committed to breakthrough technology, employees must be adaptable, passionate, and deeply invested in the company’s long-term vision of sustaining life in orbit. The organizational context suggests this role has high visibility with engineering management and potentially program leadership, especially given the close ties to pivotal mission milestones such as the Haven-1 launch. Working at Vast offers not only the chance to engage in cutting-edge space hardware design but also to contribute to humanity’s leap into commercial space living, blending advanced engineering with a bold, existential mission. Candidates excited by disruptive technology and space exploration will likely thrive here, provided they can navigate a fast-paced startup environment that blends technical rigor with visionary ambition.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to solve a complex engineering problem. How did you manage differing priorities and ensure alignment?
• Behavioral: Describe an instance where you had to adapt your design approach due to unexpected environmental constraints or testing results. What was your process and outcome?
• Behavioral: Give an example of how you handled a high-pressure deadline or critical milestone in a previous aerospace or high-reliability project.
• Behavioral: How have you applied GD&T principles in past projects to improve manufacturability or assembly accuracy?
• Technical: How would you approach designing a ruggedized avionics enclosure to withstand both thermal cycling and mechanical vibration experienced during space launch and operation?
• Technical: Can you explain your experience with thermal and structural analysis tools like ANSYS? How do you decide what analyses are needed for a given electronics packaging design?
• Technical: How do you integrate requirements from electrical engineers (e.g., circuit board layout, harness routing) into the mechanical packaging design to ensure seamless system performance?
• Technical: What methods and standards do you follow when conducting environmental testing or qualifying hardware for space applications?
• Situational: Imagine you discover late in the design cycle that a critical avionics mounting bracket does not meet vibration requirements. How would you address the issue considering schedule constraints?
• Situational: You are tasked with managing configuration control of integrated avionics designs across multiple teams, and a new interface change is proposed. How do you evaluate and implement this change?
• Situational: If test data reveals unexpected thermal hotspots in an enclosure design, what steps would you take to identify and mitigate the issue?
• Company Fit: Why are you excited about contributing to Vast’s mission to develop artificial gravity space stations, and how does your background uniquely position you for this role?
• Company Fit: Vast emphasizes cross-functional teamwork in a fast-paced environment; how do you ensure effective communication and collaboration under tight timelines?
• Company Fit: How do you see your career growth aligning with Vast’s vision for the future of human space habitation?
• Questions for Interviewer: What are the biggest technical challenges the mechanical avionics design team is currently facing as you approach the Haven-1 launch milestone?
• Questions for Interviewer: How does Vast balance the need for rapid innovation with rigorous safety and quality standards in its engineering culture?
• Questions for Interviewer: Can you describe the typical career progression and opportunities for professional development within the mechanical engineering function at Vast?