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 Senior Test Engineer, Fluids, reporting to the Environmental & Thermal Control Systems Manager to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Design, fabricate, and activate ground support equipment and test articles in partnership with technicians, with a focus on pressurized ground systems
- Operate, troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and modify manufacturing and testing equipment, including pressurized systems from vacuum to 20,000 psig, pneumatic and hydraulic, oxygen systems, refrigerant systems, and data and control systems
- Create and maintain detailed testing procedures and work instructions to ensure consistent and accurate production and operation of station thermal and environmental control systems and subsystems during ground processing.
- Identify and resolve manufacturing/test challenges by conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
- Collaborate with design teams to provide input on the manufacturability, assembly, and test processes of thermal and environmental hardware components such as tubing, heat exchangers, cold plates, pumps, valves, radiators, sensors.
- Work closely with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality components, reviewing and approving supplier manufacturing processes.
- Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of components and subassemblies, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards.
- Collaborate with quality assurance teams to establish and maintain rigorous quality control processes for manufacturing.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall product quality.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in applicable manufacturing to drive innovation within the company.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in test and/or manufacturing engineering, preferably in the aerospace or environmental and thermal control industry.
- Proficiency in CAD software (ideally Siemens NX) for reviewing designs and creating manufacturing documentation.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Strong GD&T skills, and experience creating and reviewing drawings.
- Strong understanding of fluid systems, tube manufacturing processes, and assembly techniques.
- Ability to perform basic analysis with hand-calculations, FEA, and/or CFD to solve fluids and mechanical problems.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to perform root cause analysis.
- Hands-on experience with testing and troubleshooting fluids components
- Skilled in operation of machinery and hand tools
- Experience operating complex hazardous systems
- Able to work effectively in a team environment
- Comfortable working in a rapidly changing, ambiguous environment balancing multiple projects with flexibility.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Salary Range: California
$135,000—$170,000 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 artificial gravity space stations to expand humanity across the solar system.
Vast’s mission is to enable large populations of humans to live and work in space, permanently.
Our solar system has the resources and room for humanity to thrive and expand without destroying Earth’s biosphere. Unlocking these resources requires in-space infrastructure and industry at an unprecedented scale.
We are building a world-class team to engineer the human experience in space.
Why Work With Us
We're developing artificial gravity space stations to expand humanity across the solar system in order to enable large populations to live and work in space. Not only is what we're working on groundbreaking, but the team prides itself on living by our values of respect, curiosity, action, and excellence making it a lot more fun to achieve our goal.
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