Senior Director, 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.
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
