At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in August 2025. 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(n) Mechanical Design Engineer , reporting to the Closed Loop/Regenerable ECLSS Responsible Engineer, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. Use this space to describe the role and sell the candidate on the cool stuff they would get to work on.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Own the full lifecycle of components, from initial design to manufacturing, testing, and data
analysis. - Develop detailed CAD models in Siemens NX for pumps and fluid systems, and perform analyses
to validate and verify design performance. - Perform sizing, material selection, and structural integrity analysis, including assessments for
pressure, vibration, fracture, and fatigue. - Conduct design reviews, risk assessments, and failure mode analyses to ensure robustness and
safety of components. - Oversee supplier relationships to ensure the procurement, fabrication, and installation of flight
hardware meet specifications. - Mentor junior engineers and conduct technical peer reviews to ensure design quality and
adherence to engineering standards.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in mechanical design engineering, with at least 3 years
specifically focused on turbomachinery design. - Expertise in CAD software such as Siemens NX for creating detailed designs and technical
documentation. - Strong demonstrated skills in fluids, thermodynamics, and pump sizing.
- Experience performing the structural and fluid design and analysis using tools such as ANSYS
- Proficiency in engineering analysis tools and software, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
and thermal simulations. - Familiarity with space and aerospace industry standards.
- Experience with materials selection and manufacturing processes for turbomachinery
components in aerospace environments. - Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to innovate in complex, high-
performance systems.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience with facilities within an aerospace industry
- Experience in the design, analysis, and optimization of turbomachinery components, such as
turbines, compressors, pumps, and associated subsystems - Proficiency in engineering analysis tools and software, including computational fluid dynamics
(CFD). - Knowledge of NASA, ESA, or other space agency design and testing standards.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
- A passion for space exploration and a commitment to engineering excellence.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
- Specific certifications, as appropriate
Pay Range:
- Mechanical Engineer II: $110,000-$145,000
Salary Range: California
$110,000—$145,000 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, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 15 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, free catered meals and snacks and beverages, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.
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.
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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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