Senior Mechanical Engineer, Thermal Control Systems

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 Thermal Control Systems Senior Mechanical Engineer, reporting to the Manager, Thermal Control Hardware 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, CA location.

Responsibilities:

• Own the design and development of thermal control system and components for our artificial-gravity space station, from initial design trades to fully functional and validated system

• Possible thermal components include heat exchangers, cold plates, heaters, heat pipes, etc…

• Iterate on manufacturing processes and development testing in a fast-paced environment

• Own the project delivery timeline from early design through production, launch, and orbit insertion

• Perform systems engineering tasks and fluid analyses

• Lead design reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers

• Work with interdisciplinary stakeholders to ensure the component will integrate with the necessary avionics, software, and mission operations systems

• Make sure that all designs are manufacturable and reliable

• Bring technical excellence to everything you do

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline

• Experience working with fluid systems or components

• 5+ years of hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly and/or testing

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 4+ years of experience working with fluid systems or components

• Demonstrated ability to own hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting

• 4+ years of hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly and/or testing

• Proactive problem-solving skills such as failure analysis, root cause investigation, and design of experiment creation

• Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make clear recommendations even with partial information

• Experience with rotating machinery

• Experienced in NX

• Solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and tolerance stack-up analysis

• Experience with structural analysis methods (hand calcs, FEMAP, ANSYS) in order to optimize hardware to strength requirements as well as to evaluate for life and fracture

• Knowledge of metallic and fluid system manufacturing techniques, processes, equipment, and other processes such as machining, welding, brazing, tube bending, etc.

• Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and managers

• Highly self-motivated with strong organizational and written/oral communication skills – able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment with the ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work

Pay Range: California

$137,760—$195,552 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.