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 May 2026. 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 Staff Propulsion/Fluids Systems Analyst, reporting to the Director of Haven Propulsion, to support the development of the propulsion, life support, and thermal control 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:

MethaGox Thrust Chamber analysis to include CFD modeling of film cooling for different sizes of RCS thrusters.
Life support system analysis to include CFD of air distribution systems and cabin air volumes
Planning and participating in test campaigns, and anchoring analysis with test data
Creating and reviewing system models of pressure fed systems and associated tank, valve and line sizing for Propulsion, Life Support and Thermal Control Systems
Efficiently developing analysis models with commercially available CFD programs
Developing and teaching to other engineers best practices in analysis
Presenting analysis for NASA or other certification programs

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent
5+ years experience with CFD software packages in industry: Star-CCM+, Fluent, or equivalent
5+ years experience with thermo-hydraulic analysis software packages in industry: SINDA/FLUINT, GFSSP, or equivalent

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Familiarity with structural analysis packages in industry: NASTRAN, Ansys, or equivalent
Prior experience with space hardware in a fast-paced manufacturing setting
Master’s or terminal degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent
Leadership experience on an engineering or project team
Establishing analysis best practices and methodologies
Completion of certification effort for flight hardware

Additional Requirements:

Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Specific certifications, as appropriate

Pay Range:

Staff Engineer: $160,000-$200,000

Salary Range: California

$160,000—$200,000 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 10 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.

Staff Propulsion/Fluids Systems Analyst

VAST

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