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 Senior Mission Operations Engineer to become a foundational member of the Ground Segment group within the Mission Operations team and support planning and execution of Vast missions.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Take extreme ownership of large impact initiatives working with engineers across disciplines to support the development of spacecraft operations & ground operations procedures, flight rules, products & processes, culminating in the safe & successful operations of a newly launched spacecraft
- Provide technical and operational leadership as the operations expert in planning for and execution of pre-flight testing and checkouts of ground systems to ensure spacecraft and ground systems are ready for flight
- Assist with leading the operations of Vast’s crewed and uncrewed missions for vehicle commissioning, on-orbit operations, anomaly resolution and final deorbit of the spacecraft
- Perform deep-dive analysis of vehicle & ground system telemetry and deliver informed summaries as well as recommendations to mission stakeholders for further review & analysis
- Formulate and lead the execution of workflows facilitating improvements to processes & systems with a focus on advancing Vast’s Mission Operations while maintaining Vast’s commitment to excellence
- Strategize plans for and lead efforts to iteratively improve the Mission Systems, Mission Operations Software and other ground processes and collaborate with the Mission Systems Engineering & Ground Software Engineering teams to implement them
- Work closely with Mission Management to ensure customer requirements are translated to a Concept of Operations that balances all needs
- Mentor & coach junior Mission Operations Engineers, offering guidance and recommendations to ongoing workflows
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, software engineering, or other engineering discipline
- 5+ years of experience in the operation of complex systems
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with other engineering disciplines
- Demonstrated ability to 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
- Strong demonstrated technical leadership ability
- Willing to support 24/7 operations during mission critical phases
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience in human spaceflight mission operations
- Master’s degree in a technical field
- 3+ 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)
- 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 of 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
- Strong Technical Writing skills
- Strong mentorship and leadership skills
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
- Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Pay Range:
- Senior Mission Operations Engineer: $137,000 - 195,000
- Staff Mission Operations Engineer: $162,000 - $230,000
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 aerospace, mechanical, software engineering, or other engineering discipline
- 5+ 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
- Strong demonstrated technical leadership ability
- Willing to support 24/7 operations during mission critical phases
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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