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.

Vast is looking for a Senior Propulsion/Fluids Systems Analyst, reporting to the Sr. Director, Propulsion Development, to support the development of the propulsion, life support, and thermal control 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 Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

Thrust chamber analysis to include conjugate heat transfer and CFD modeling of film and regenerative cooling for liquid propellant spacecraft thrusters.
Life support system analysis to include CFD of air distribution systems and cabin air volumes.
Planning and participating in test campaigns, and anchoring analysis with test data.
Creating and reviewing dynamic system models of pressure fed systems and associated tank, valve and line sizing for Propulsion, Life Support and Thermal Control Systems.
Efficiently developing analysis models with commercially available CFD programs.
Developing and teaching to other engineers best practices in analysis.
Presenting analysis for NASA or other certification programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent.
5+ years experience with CFD software packages in industry: Star-CCM+, Fluent, or equivalent.
5+ years experience with thermo-hydraulic analysis software packages in industry: SINDA/FLUINT, GFSSP, or equivalent.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Familiarity with structural analysis packages in industry: NASTRAN, Ansys, or equivalent.
Prior experience with space hardware in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
Master's or terminal degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent.
Leadership experience on an engineering or project team.
Establishing analysis best practices and methodologies.
Completion of certification effort for flight hardware.

Additional Requirements:

Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.
Specific certifications, as appropriate.

Pay Range:

Staff Propulsion/Fluids Analyst: $159,100 - 205,800

Pay Range: California

$159,100—$205,800 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.

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

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.

Staff Haven Propulsion/Fluids Systems Analyst

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