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 Manager, Fluids Test, reporting to the Vice President of Fluids Systems, to lead the strategy, execution, and scaling of fluids test operations supporting the development of 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 is a full-time, exempt position located in Long Beach location.
Responsibilities- Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across design, integration, test, and delivery of spacecraft hardware
- Own execution across the full product lifecycle—from concept and requirements definition through manufacturing, verification, qualification, and operations
- Align manufacturing, supply chain, quality, test, and program management on hardware delivery and integration
- Set org priorities, staffing, roadmaps, and resource plans to meet program milestones
- Drive technical decisions and risk management across performance, safety, and compliance
- Lead design reviews, trades, root cause investigations, and corrective actions
- Mentor engineers and managers; build a culture of accountability and technical excellence
- Own recruiting, performance management, and succession planning
- Manage supplier and partner relationships across development, manufacturing, and integration
- Champion continuous improvement in engineering efficiency, quality, and velocity
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline
- 6+ years of engineering experience in aerospace or other safety-critical industries
- 3+ years of technical leadership or engineering management experience
- Track record leading teams through complex hardware or integrated system development across multiple lifecycle phases
- Strong systems integration, development process, and first-principles engineering fundamentals
- Experience leading trade studies, engineering reviews, and cross-functional efforts in manufacturing environments
- Proven ability to lead teams in fast-paced, iterative development environments
- Experience managing teams developing spacecraft, flight hardware, or mission-critical systems
- Proven success leading complex programs from concept through qualification, integration, and test
- Experience building and scaling engineering organizations in high-growth environments
- Deep knowledge of hardware verification, qualification testing, and aerospace certification practices
- Proficiency with CAD and engineering analysis tools
- Expertise in systems-level troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and failure investigation
- Proficiency with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and engineering drawing review
- Background in structural, thermal, propulsion, fluids, or integrated spacecraft systems
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and organizational skills
- Passion for advancing the future of human spaceflight and space habitation
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, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline
- 6+ years of engineering experience in aerospace or other safety-critical industries
- 3+ years of technical leadership or engineering management experience
- Track record leading teams through complex hardware or integrated system development across multiple lifecycle phases
- Strong systems integration, development process, and first-principles engineering fundamentals
- Experience leading trade studies, engineering reviews, and cross-functional efforts in manufacturing environments
- Proven ability to lead teams in fast-paced, iterative development environments
- Must be a U.S. person (per U.S. export control requirements)
- Experience managing teams developing spacecraft, flight hardware, or mission-critical systems
- Proven success leading complex programs from concept through qualification, integration, and test
- Experience building and scaling engineering organizations in high-growth environments
- Deep knowledge of hardware verification, qualification testing, and aerospace certification practices
- Proficiency with CAD and engineering analysis tools
- Expertise in systems-level troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and failure investigation
- Proficiency with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and engineering drawing review
- Background in structural, thermal, propulsion, fluids, or integrated spacecraft systems
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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