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 seeking an experienced and highly driven Director, Fluid Systems Test, reporting to the Vice President of Fluid Systems, to lead the strategy, execution, and scaling of fluids test operations supporting the development of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations and supporting spacecraft systems.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in fluid systems testing, infrastructure development, high-risk operations, and organizational leadership within fast-paced aerospace or complex hardware development environments.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach, California location.
Responsibilities- Lead the Fluids Test organization responsible for component, subsystem, and integrated system development and qualification testing across propulsion, thermal control systems, ECLSS, pressurized systems, and spacecraft fluid distribution hardware
- Develop and execute the long-term fluids test strategy supporting Haven-1 and future spacecraft programs from early development through qualification, supporting integration and flight readiness
- Build, mentor, and scale a multidisciplinary organization of test engineers, technicians, operations specialists, controls engineers, and infrastructure teams
- Oversee the design, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of fluids test stands, pressure systems, cryogenic systems, vacuum systems, and supporting ground infrastructure
- Define and drive integrated test campaigns validating system performance, reliability, operational readiness, and human-rated safety requirements
- Partner closely with Propulsion, Thermal, ECLSS, Structures, Avionics, GNC, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, and Mission Operations teams to align test objectives, verification strategies, and development schedules
- Establish rigorous engineering and operational processes for instrumentation, controls integration, data acquisition, calibration, configuration management, and test reporting
- Lead test readiness reviews, operational procedure development, hazard analyses, and safety reviews for high-risk fluid, cryogenic, and pressurized system operations
- Drive root cause investigations, anomaly resolution, corrective actions, and failure analysis efforts arising from integrated test campaigns and system performance issues
- Develop organizational metrics, operational visibility tools, and infrastructure planning strategies to improve test throughput, utilization, reliability, and schedule predictability
- Manage facility utilization, capital equipment planning, operational budgets, staffing forecasts, and long-range infrastructure investments
- Support acceptance testing, spacecraft integration activities, launch site operations, and mission readiness testing as programs progress toward flight operations
- Help establish the operational philosophy, safety standards, and verification methodologies for future human-rated spacecraft fluid systems and integrated test operations
- Foster a culture of technical excellence, urgency, accountability, ownership, collaboration, and safety-first execution across the organization
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- 10+ years of experience in aerospace, military and defense, launch vehicle, spacecraft, propulsion, or complex fluid systems testing environments
- 5+ years of technical leadership or people management experience leading engineering or test organizations
- Experience developing, operating, or scaling fluid, propulsion, thermal, cryogenic, pneumatic, or pressurized system test infrastructure
- Strong understanding of instrumentation systems, data acquisition (DAQ), controls integration, automation systems, and test operations
- Experience leading high-risk operations involving hazardous fluids, cryogenic systems, pressure systems, or oxygen-compatible systems
- Demonstrated success leading integrated test campaigns under aggressive hardware development schedules
- Experience partnering cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, systems engineering, quality, and operations organizations
- Strong analytical, operational decision-making, root cause investigation, and troubleshooting skills
- Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to present technical and programmatic updates to executive leadership
- Experience supporting human-rated spacecraft, launch vehicles, or advanced aerospace development programs
- Familiarity with NASA, aerospace, military, or commercial spaceflight fluid systems testing standards and operational practices
- Experience with propulsion hot-fire testing, thermal vacuum testing, integrated environmental testing, or spacecraft acceptance testing
- Knowledge of cryogenic systems, oxygen systems, hypergolic fluid handling, pressurized systems, or life support fluid systems
- Experience scaling test infrastructure and operations in fast-paced hardware development environments
- Background supporting launch campaigns, mission operations, vehicle integration, or flight certification activities
- Experience building large-scale engineering or operations organizations supporting critical test infrastructure
- Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed during critical test campaigns and program milestones
- Ability to travel occasionally in support of suppliers, test sites, integration activities, and launch operations
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
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering or related technical discipline
- 10+ years experience in aerospace, military/defense, launch vehicle, spacecraft, propulsion, or complex fluid systems testing
- 5+ years technical leadership or people management leading engineering or test organizations
- Experience developing, operating, or scaling fluid, propulsion, thermal, cryogenic, pneumatic, or pressurized system test infrastructure
- Strong understanding of instrumentation systems, data acquisition (DAQ), controls integration, and automation systems
- Experience leading high-risk operations involving hazardous fluids, cryogenic systems, pressure systems, or oxygen-compatible systems
- Demonstrated success leading integrated test campaigns under aggressive hardware development schedules
- Experience partnering cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, systems engineering, quality, and operations
- Strong analytical, operational decision-making, root cause investigation, and troubleshooting skills
- Excellent communication and leadership skills; ability to present technical and programmatic updates to executive leadership
- Experience supporting human-rated spacecraft, launch vehicles, or advanced aerospace development programs
- Familiarity with NASA, aerospace, military, or commercial spaceflight fluid systems testing standards and operational practices
- Experience with propulsion hot-fire testing, thermal vacuum testing, integrated environmental testing, or spacecraft acceptance testing
- Knowledge of cryogenic systems, oxygen systems, hypergolic fluid handling, pressurized systems, or life support fluid systems
- Experience scaling test infrastructure and operations in fast-paced hardware development environments
- Background supporting launch campaigns, mission operations, vehicle integration, or flight certification activities
- Experience building large-scale engineering or operations organizations supporting critical test infrastructure
- Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering or related technical discipline
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed during critical test campaigns and program milestones
- Ability to travel occasionally in support of suppliers, test sites, integration activities, and launch operations
Vast Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vast and has not been reviewed or approved by Vast.
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents from day one, alongside primary care and mental‑health programs. These provisions are repeatedly emphasized as a core part of the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Information highlights generous PTO with an annual cash‑out option, paid parental leave, sick time, and company holidays, with flexible PTO for exempt staff. These features indicate broad time‑off support across multiple needs.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Onsite meals and snacks, fitness memberships or stipends, and wellness resources (e.g., One Medical and Spring Health) are prominently offered. Such perks appear designed to enhance daily work experience and overall wellbeing.
Vast Insights
What We Do
Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure 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 in 2026, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. With more than 1,000 employees at its Long Beach, California headquarters and over a billion dollars in private capital invested, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
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