Vast
From Vast's careers page
Status: listed on the employer's own careers page when we last checked (daily). Confirm on their site before applying.
Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and capital-efficient approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to support a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and supporting a growing space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to design, build, and operate its own spacecraft in orbit. Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo: Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon.
Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
Vast is looking for a Propulsion Test Engineer, reporting to the Propulsion Test Manager, to support the development of the propulsion systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Mojave location.
Perform thruster development, acceptance and qualification hot-fire testing
Lead hazardous operations including work with high pressure fluids
Write test procedures for hazardous operations
Prepare and lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs)
Work side by side with the test stand technicians during test article install and inspection
Maintain and design modifications to test stand fluids and electrical systems to meet current and expanding test requirements
Work collaboratively with Long Beach based responsible engineers to meet test requirements, design test stand modifications, and debug test stand problems rapidly
Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or related field
2+ years of experience in the operation, design, and development of chemical propulsion and/or fluid systems, or hardware testing
Propulsion experience in collegiate rocket program
Experience with controls & data acquisition systems (e.g., Beckhoff/TwinCAT, National Instruments/LabVIEW)
Experience building and testing high pressure fluid systems
Tube fitting & bending, familiarity with common industry fittings systems
Read & interpret Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams
Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment
Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Ability to work in extreme weather conditions outdoors in Mojave, CA
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted and work in an outdoor, physically demanding test environment (from freezing conditions to temps up to 120 degrees fahrenheit)
Propulsion Test Engineer I: $86,000 - $122,000
Propulsion Test Engineer II: $112,000 - $155,000
Senior Propulsion Test Engineer: $135,000 - $195,000
$86,000—$195,000 USD
We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.
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.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
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.
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