Propulsion Engineer - Mechanical Design
About the role
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 Propulsion Engineer - Mechanical Design, reporting to the Senior Manager, Propulsion Flight Hardware, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as responsible engineer for propulsion mechanical hardware: tubing assemblies, brackets, mounts, and propulsion-owned secondary structure.
- Act as the primary interface between the Propulsion and Structures teams, coordinating loads, interfaces, and design requirements across both groups.
- Perform structural analysis to drive design decisions, covering static and dynamic loads, vibration, thermo-mechanical, and other environmental considerations.
- Perform mechanical design and analysis, develop manufacturing drawings, test plans, and concepts of operations, and follow hardware from design release through build and acceptance.
- Lead trade studies and own interfaces with adjacent subsystems.
- Work directly with fabricators and technicians to improve designs, mature processes, and resolve build issues.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, physics, or math or equivalent experience.
- 4+ years of experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
- 4+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical components or systems.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Working knowledge of propulsion systems; time spent in or alongside a propulsion team is a strong plus.
- Structural design and analysis of components for a high-performance vehicle or spacecraft.
- Demonstrated failure analysis and root cause investigation skills.
- Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Design work in recent versions of NX/Teamcenter.
- Analysis work in recent versions of Ansys, Femap/Nastran, or Abaqus.
- Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis per ASME Y14.5.
- Familiarity with spacecraft design and test specifications such as SMC-S-016 and NASA-STD-5001.
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to support critical mission milestones.
Pay Range:
- Senior Propulsion Engineer Level III: $137,760.00 - $195,552.00
- Staff Propulsion Engineer Level IV: $162,360.00 - $230,472.00
- Principal Propulsion Engineer Level V: $186,960.00 - $265,392.00
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 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: 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.
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.