At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. 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 seeking a Senior Fluids Systems Engineer reporting to the Manager, Fluid Systems Engineering to help develop the critical systems that make long-duration human spaceflight possible.
In this role, you will own the design, development, testing, and integration of fluid-based hardware and systems that support life support, thermal management, propulsion, pressurization, and other spacecraft functions. You will work across the entire hardware lifecycle—from concept development and trade studies through manufacturing, testing, launch, and on-orbit operations.
We are looking for engineers who thrive in hands-on environments, enjoy solving first-principles engineering problems, and want to build flight hardware that directly supports humanity’s future in space.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities- Design, develop, analyze, and test fluid and mechanical systems for human-rated spacecraft.
- Own hardware and subsystem development from early architecture through flight qualification and operation.
- Perform fluid, thermal, and systems analyses to inform design decisions and system performance.
- Conduct trade studies and make engineering recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals.
- Lead design reviews and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, integration, test, quality, and mission operations.
- Develop and execute component, subsystem, and integrated system test campaigns.
- Support fabrication, assembly, integration, troubleshooting, and validation of flight hardware.
- Drive root-cause investigations, failure analysis, and corrective actions during development and test.
- Ensure designs are manufacturable, reliable, maintainable, and scalable for production.
- Partner with suppliers to develop and qualify hardware and manufacturing processes.
- Contribute to the development of systems supporting propulsion, thermal control, environmental control and life support, pressurization, and other spacecraft fluid systems.
- Bring technical excellence, urgency, and ownership to every stage of development.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of professional experience developing hardware, fluid systems, thermal systems, propulsion systems, environmental control systems, or other complex mechanical systems.
- Hands-on experience with fabrication, assembly, integration, testing, or troubleshooting of hardware.
- Experience working within cross-functional engineering teams to develop complex products.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with fluid systems, thermal systems, propulsion systems, environmental control systems, or other high-reliability engineering applications.
- Experience designing and developing hardware from concept through production.
- Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, or system integration.
- Experience performing failure analysis, root-cause investigations, and design-of-experiments.
- Proficiency with CAD tools such as Siemens NX.
- Knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis.
- Experience with manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, brazing, tube bending, assembly, and testing.
- Experience with high-pressure, hazardous, or safety-critical fluid systems.
- Familiarity with structural analysis tools and methods.
- Demonstrated ability to take ownership of hardware and deliver results in a fast-paced development environment.
Pay Range:
- Senior Fluid Systems Engineer: $137,700 - $195,550
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
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
