Your space-enabled career begins here

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 May 2026. 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 Station Test Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager, Station Test Engineering, to support the development of systems required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. The Station Test Engineering team takes pride in crafting cutting-edge mechanisms, fluid systems, and electronics to test hardware critical to the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) to support life onboard our artificial-gravity commercial space station. This is a crucial role, as it involves planning and executing testing of components that are absolutely critical to the safety of future astronauts and passengers.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

• Take full ownership of testing Life-Support System components that support near-term & long-term space habitats
• Manage deliverables that range from singular case studies & analysis, to building & instrumenting full complex test environments
• Identify and resolve test challenges by conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions
• Thoroughly document all aspects of design, planning, test, and post-processed results for traceability across all subsystems and life cycle milestones

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline)
• Working knowledge of fluid mechanics and design, fluids test standards and best practices, piping and instrumentation diagrams, test instrumentation and fittings, test safety, and test troubleshooting
• Experience driving complex projects from cradle to grave
• Ability to work in a fast paced & autonomously driven start-up atmosphere
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 2+ years of professional experience rapidly designing and delivering highly reliable products
• 2+ years of professional experience building, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging fluid, mechanical, and electrical issues
• Working knowledge of supporting engineering disciplines (i.e. mechanically strong but knows how to wire and code, or control electronics focused but knows CAD & can create machine drawings)
• Working knowledge of industry test standards (SMC-S-016, etc.)
• Aerospace test lifecycle understanding (PDR, CDR, TRR, ATP, QTP, etc.)
• Highly self-motivated with strong organizational and written/oral communication skills – able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment with the ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted

Pay Range:

• Station Test Engineer I : $80,000 - $110,000
• Station Test Engineer II : $100,000 - $145,000
• Senior Station Test Engineer : $135,000 - $170,000