Life Support Systems Engineer, Turbomachinery/Pump Design
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(n) Life Support Systems Engineer , reporting to the Closed Loop/Regenerable ECLSS Responsible Engineer, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. Use this space to describe the role and sell the candidate on the cool stuff they would get to work on.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Own the full lifecycle of components, from initial design to manufacturing, testing, and data
analysis. - Develop detailed CAD models in Siemens NX for pumps and fluid systems, and perform analyses
to validate and verify design performance. - Perform sizing, material selection, and structural integrity analysis, including assessments for
pressure, vibration, fracture, and fatigue. - Conduct design reviews, risk assessments, and failure mode analyses to ensure robustness and
safety of components. - Oversee supplier relationships to ensure the procurement, fabrication, and installation of flight
hardware meet specifications. - Mentor junior engineers and conduct technical peer reviews to ensure design quality and
adherence to engineering standards.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in mechanical design engineering, with at least 3 years
specifically focused on turbomachinery design. - Expertise in CAD software such as Siemens NX for creating detailed designs and technical
documentation. - Strong demonstrated skills in fluids, thermodynamics, and pump sizing.
- Experience performing the structural and fluid design and analysis using tools such as ANSYS
- Proficiency in engineering analysis tools and software, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
and thermal simulations. - Familiarity with space and aerospace industry standards.
- Experience with materials selection and manufacturing processes for turbomachinery
components in aerospace environments. - Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to innovate in complex, high-
performance systems.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience with facilities within an aerospace industry
- Experience in the design, analysis, and optimization of turbomachinery components, such as
turbines, compressors, pumps, and associated subsystems - Proficiency in engineering analysis tools and software, including computational fluid dynamics
(CFD). - Knowledge of NASA, ESA, or other space agency design and testing standards.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
- A passion for space exploration and a commitment to engineering excellence.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
- Specific certifications, as appropriate
Pay Range:
- Mechanical Engineer II: $110,000-$145,000
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
