Senior Manager, Fluid Systems Design

Full Job Description

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

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 required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Senior Manager of Fluid Systems Design, reporting to the VP of Fluid Systems Engineering, to support the development of systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities:

• Lead design team translating architecture choices for propulsion, TCS and ECLSS systems into vehicle packaging for future Haven modules.

• Own component-level design practices for propulsion, TCS and ECLSS.

• Develop process tools to streamline design activities, enabling component responsible engineers to be force multipliers for the design team.

• Lead team of designers across the fluid systems engineering team, flexing resources as needed, and building cross-system experience in the team.

• Interface with structures design team on overall vehicle integration, establishing and enforcing standard design and modeling practices.

• Collaborate with the fluid system analysis team on structural, fracture, and dynamics requirements for design validation.

• Partner with the fluid system test team to design ground support equipment and test stands needed for development, qualification and acceptance testing.

• Build and mentor a team of design engineers, establishing clear ownership and accountability for world-class design work.

• Drive communication and collaboration between fluid systems design, structures, and operations, resolving manufacturing and integration challenges.

• Support risk management, CDR/dCDR action item tracking, and lessons-learned capture from prior missions.

• Partner with information systems team on design tool development and deployment.

• Manage technical interfaces with external partners and government agencies on propulsion system requirements and supplier qualification.

• Coordinate with external research partners on advanced system development and evaluations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or other technical discipline.

• 2+ years of hands-on engineering experience followed by 2-5 years of experience in systems engineering, technical project management, or customer facing program roles in aerospace.

• 8+ years of experience in system design, with demonstrated component-level design authority on flight hardware, preferably with propulsion, thermal or ECLSS systems.

• 2+ years of experience overseeing / managing a technical engineering team.

• Expertise in fluid system design including pressure vessels, tubing routings, mechanical fluid seals, control valves, fans, filters and/or ducting systems.

• Experience with high-pressure fluid systems including fracture criticality.

• Familiarity with P&IDs, feed system ConOps, and fill and drain considerations for vehicle integration.

• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams and drive technical decisions to closure.

• Experience supporting design reviews (CDR, PDR) and managing associated action items and risk tracking.

• Strong cross-functional communication skills comfortable working across structures, GNC, avionics, software, and manufacturing.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience building in-house design team capability.

• Background in mission operations, covering propulsion, thermal or ECLSS systems.

• Prior work with component and HITL test environments.

• Startup or fast-paced development environment experience.

• Familiarity with electric propulsion system interfaces (PPU, mass flow control).

• Experience with tubing assembly and design for manufacturing / design for assembly.

• Background in fracture mechanics or composite overwrap pressure vessel certification.

Pay Range: California

$164,000—$232,800 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.

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: 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.

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.

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