Vast develops commercial space stations to support sustained human activity, research, and manufacturing in low-Earth orbit and beyond.
<div class="content-intro"><p>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.</p></div><p>Vast is looking for a <strong>Mechanical Engineer II</strong>, reporting to the <strong>Senior Manager of E-2 Engineering</strong>, to create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers, while optimizing for production and low cost. In this role, you will join a team with exciting momentum that has produced and successfully tested fully integrated engine development samples. You will be a key member who will help complete the flight engine design and transition the system from development to production.</p> <p>This will be a <strong>full-time</strong>, <strong>exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Hawthorne </strong>location. </p> <p><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Design: work with our team and Chief Engineer to advance the design of E-2. Create models and drawings of parts and assemblies. Perform calculations and analyses with team support.</li> <li>Manufacturing: work with our internal manufacturing team to create finished E-2 parts. Support parts through 3d-printing, machining, post processing, and inspection. Incorporate feedback to improve design for manufacturing.</li> <li>Assembly and test: support our integration team with propulsion component assembly build and testing.</li> <li>Create schematics and document processes.</li> <li>Participate in engine testing with our test team and support with troubleshooting as needed.</li> <li>Communicate effectively with entire team to regularly provide updates on progress and issues.</li> <li>Always follow proper safety procedures and wear personal protective equipment in the workplace.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.</li> <li>3+ years of experience with mechanical design, development, fabrication, assembly, or test (internships included)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Skills & Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ability to work as a teammate and independently to achieve ambitious goals</li> <li>Hands-on engineering (Full-stack: computer to wrench to broom)</li> <li>Communication (Written, visual, slides)</li> <li>CAD (NX preferred)</li> <li>Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)</li> <li>Problem-solving</li> <li>Capable to grow positive, respectful, and professional relationships</li> <li>Willing to make mistakes, take responsibilities, work independently and be transparent about your work</li> <li>ANSYS</li> <li>MATLAB</li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Able to lift 25 lbs unassisted.</li> <li>Work in an outdoor environment exposed to extreme weather conditions.</li> <li>Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$110,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$155,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS<br></strong><br>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.</p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong><br>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS<br><br></strong>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 <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> 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.<br><br></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong><br><br>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,