Senior Director of Structures @ VAST

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 Director of Structures, reporting to the Vice President of Station Engineering, to lead our ambitious engineering efforts in designing and building the structures that will house our operations in space. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

This role demands a combination of visionary leadership, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of space habitation. The successful candidate will oversee: Primary, secondary, and interior structures, mechanisms, structures test, analysis and manufacturing - ensuring that our structures are safe, sustainable, and capable of supporting human life in the harsh environment of space.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the Structures department, setting strategic direction and priorities in alignment with Vast’s mission and objectives.
Oversee the design, engineering, analysis, manufacturing, and test of space habitation structures, ensuring they meet all safety, quality, and performance standards.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including life support systems, thermal control, human systems, propulsion, materials science, and the in-house machine shop to integrate all components into a cohesive and sustainable living environment.
Manage the department’s budget, personnel, and resources, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
Stay abreast of advancements in space technology and habitation research, incorporating cutting-edge solutions and practices into our designs.
Engage with external partners, contractors, and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with all space habitation standards and regulations.
Lead risk assessment and mitigation strategies for primary structures, ensuring robust contingency planning and safety protocols.
Mentor and develop a team of world-class engineers who are building capabilities that will shape the future of space habitation.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution
10+ years’ experience working on aerospace primary structures
5+ years’ experience as a manager of people
Direct experience managing leads or managers

Preferred Qualifications:

Proven track record of leading large-scale engineering projects from conception through to completion, preferably in the space / aerospace industry
Deep understanding of the technical challenges of space habitation, including environmental control, radiation shielding, and structural integrity in zero-gravity conditions.
Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and manage a diverse team of engineers and architects.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in cross-functional teams and engaging with external partners and stakeholders.

Salary Range: California

$221,000—$293,000 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.

Compensation Overview

Key Responsibilities

Basic Qualifications

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth