Dynamics Engineer

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Dynamics Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager of Loads and Dynamics, 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.

The Structural Dynamics team is responsible for low and high-frequency load & environment predictions for all Vast space stations during ground transportation, ascent, and on-orbit operations. This role will be responsible for generating frequency-based design and test requirements in quasi-statics, random vibrations, shock, and acoustics. Candidates should have strong skills in frequency domain analysis, test planning, and high-speed data processing.

Responsibilities:

• Derive internal load and environment requirements from system level requirements.

• Assist product groups with vibration and shock requirement tailoring and test verification.

• Assess vendor hardware capabilities against in-house predictions.

• Develop post-processing tools for dynamic analyses and tests.

• Build, maintain, and correlate prediction models based on gathered test data.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering.

• 1+ years of professional experience in loads and environment prediction.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Spacecraft and/or payload background with experience through the entire system lifecycle from concept, design, production, integration, test, launch, and operations.

• Hands-on test experience in vibration labs.

• Familiar with Femap/NASTRAN.

• Ability to explain structural dynamic concepts to other engineering functions.

• Working understanding of a design load cycle and how it relates to analysis and test.

• Knowledge of spacecraft launch load environments and industry standard documents (SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000A, MIL-STD-810G, etc.).

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel occasionally for out-of-house testing.

Pay Range:

• Dynamics Engineer I: $86,100 - $122,220

• Dynamics Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468

• Senior Dynamics Engineer: $137,760 - $195,552

• Staff Dynamics Engineer: $162,360 - $230,472

Pay Range: California

$86,100—$230,472 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSBase 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: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITYVast 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.