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(n) Mission Operations Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager of Crew Operations & Training, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
You will be responsible for planning and successfully implementing technical training for our spacecraft missions. In this role, you will work cross-functionally with engineers from other disciplines, from the early stages of spacecraft design through on-orbit operations and decommissioning. The Mission Operations Engineer, functionally aligned with the Crew Operations & Training team, is responsible for preparing the mission operations team and crew members for mission readiness. This includes authoring training products; planning and executing classroom, mockup, and simulation-based training events; ensuring training programs run efficiently; and certifying the integrity and intent of formal training programs in support of the future of commercial human spaceflight.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver training programs and associated products/materials using a variety of delivery platforms, and conduct training to enable certification of console operators and crew members.
- Implement and iterate improvements to processes & systems with a focus on advancing Vast’s Mission Operations and Training approaches while maintaining Vast’s commitment to excellence.
- Identify areas for improvement of the training systems, Mission Systems, Mission Operations Software, and other ground system architecture features and processes, and collaborate with the Mission Systems Engineering & Ground Software
- Engineering teams to test, deploy, and maintain them.
- Work closely with Mission Management to ensure customer requirements are translated to a Concept of Operations that balances all needs.
- Work with engineers across disciplines to support the development of spacecraft operations training programs and crew operations procedures with intimate knowledge of ground procedures, flight rules, products & processes, culminating in the safe & successful operations of a newly launched spacecraft and crew.
- Provide operational support as the operations expert in planning for and execution of pre-flight testing and checkouts to ensure training systems, spacecraft, and ground systems are ready for readiness campaigns and flight.
- As directed, train for and operate Vast’s crewed and uncrewed missions for vehicle commissioning, on-orbit operations, anomaly resolution and final deorbit of the spacecraft.
- As directed, perform routine analysis of vehicle telemetry and deliver informed summaries as well as recommendations to mission stakeholders as well as to other engineering disciplines for further review & analysis.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, software engineering, or other engineering discipline.
- 2+ years of experience in the operation of complex systems.
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with other engineering disciplines.
- Demonstrated ability to critically think in high stress environments and rapidly evolving situations.
- Ability to disseminate critical engineering & technical information effectively and clearly.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Willing to support 24/7 operations during mission critical phases.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience in human spaceflight mission operations and/or training.
- Experience in technical training development and execution/delivery
- Master’s degree in a technical field.
- 1+ years working in a spacecraft design, build, and test environment.
- Technical knowledge in spacecraft systems engineering (avionics, propulsion, attitude control, communications, orbital mechanics, life support systems, thermal and power control systems).
- Strong technical writing and presentation development and delivery skills.
- Technical knowledge in Space-to-Ground Communication Systems (RF, Ground Stations, Modems, Antenna Systems).
- Experience building from scratch a system, process and team to perform complex operations and training for an aerospace system (launch vehicle, satellite, crew capsule).
- Software Engineering Skills (C++, Golang, Javascript, React, Software Architecture, Databases, Cloud).
- Matlab or Python/Octave Proficiency.
- Proficient at using the command line and scripting languages.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.
- Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
Pay Range:
- Mission Operations Engineer II: $100,000 - $142,100
- Mission Operations Engineer III (Senior): $135,800 - $176,400
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
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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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