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>Senior Mechanical Engineer, Structures</strong>, reporting to the Manager, <strong>Structures Design</strong>, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. </p> <p>The <strong>Structures and Dynamics</strong> team covers a wide range of components and responsibilities: from the primary pressure hull, to MMOD shielding, engineered soft goods, and establishing design loads and factors, as well as supporting other teams’ design needs across the company.</p> <p>This will be a <strong>full-time, exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Long Beach</strong> location. </p> <p><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Own design of primary and secondary structures on a large scale space station.</li> <li>Develop understanding of static and dynamic loads, vibrations, thermal and other environmental considerations to drive design decisions.</li> <li>Perform mechanical design and analysis, develop manufacturing drawings, test plans, concept of operations, and follow hardware through the entire process.</li> <li>Lead trades and own interfaces with sub systems.</li> <li>Work with fabricators and technicians to improve designs, develop processes, and resolve issues. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, physics, or math.</li> <li>4+ years experience with CAD and FEA software packages.</li> <li>4+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical components or systems.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Skills & Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Design of structures and components for a high-performance vehicle or spacecraft.</li> <li>Proactive problem-solving skills such as failure analysis and root cause investigation.</li> <li>Prior experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.</li> <li>Design work in recent versions of NX/ Teamcenter.</li> <li>Analysis work in recent versions of Ansys, Femap/Nastran, Abaqus.</li> <li>Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5).</li> <li>Familiarity with spacecraft specifications such as SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Pay Range: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Senior Mechanical Engineer: $137,760- $195,552</li> <li>Staff Mechanical Engineer: $162,360 - $230,472</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$135,800</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$230,472 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, 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.</p></div>