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 Station Test Engineer - ECLSS, reporting to the Senior Manager, Station Test Engineering, to support the development of the systems 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 Station Test Engineering team takes pride in crafting cutting-edge mechanisms, fluid systems, and electronics to test hardware critical to the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) to support life onboard our artificial-gravity commercial space station . This is a crucial role, as it involves planning and executing testing of components that are absolutely critical to the safety of future astronauts and passengers.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach/Mojave location.

Responsibilities:

Take full ownership of testing Life-Support System components that support near-term & long-term space habitats
Manage deliverables that range from singular case studies & analysis, to building & instrumenting full complex test environments
Identify and resolve test challenges by conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions
Thoroughly document all aspects of design, planning, test, and post-processed results for traceability across all subsystems and life cycle milestones

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline
2+ years of experience working with fluids or environmental control systems/components
2+ years of hands-on hardware experience in a test environment
Working knowledge of fluid mechanics and design, fluids test standards and best practices, piping and instrumentation diagrams, test instrumentation and fittings, test safety, and test troubleshooting
Experience driving complex projects from cradle to grave
Working knowledge of all supporting engineering disciplines (i.e. mechanically strong but knows how to wire and code, or control electronics focused but knows CAD & can create machine drawings)
Ability to work in a fast paced & autonomously driven start-up atmosphere
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Preferred Skills & Experience:

4+ years of professional experience rapidly designing and delivering highly reliable products
4+ years of professional experience building, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging fluid, mechanical, and electrical issues
Hands-on skills (testing, fabrication, plumbing, wiring, machining, soldering, 3D printing, etc.)
Working knowledge of industry test standards (SMC-S-016, etc.)
Mechanical design, CAD, and GD&T experience
Aerospace test lifecycle understanding (PDR, CDR, TRR, ATP, QTP, etc.)
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

Additional Requirements:

Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted

Salary Range: California

$135,000—$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 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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