Director, Fluid Systems Test — Spaceflight Leader

Tribonet; Long Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 203,000 - 289,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity

Medical, dental & vision coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

Vast in Long Beach, CA is seeking an experienced Director, Fluid Systems Test to lead strategy, execution, and scaling of fluids test operations for Haven-1 and future spacecraft programs. You will build and mentor a multidisciplinary team, oversee test stands and cryogenic systems, and partner with propulsion, thermal, and avionics to align objectives and schedules.

This role requires 10+ years in aerospace fluid testing, strong leadership, and a track record of safely delivering high-risk

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years in aerospace, military/defense, launch vehicle, spacecraft, propulsion, or complex fluid testing environments.
• 5+ years of technical leadership or people management in engineering or test organizations.
• Experience developing, operating, or scaling fluid/test infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Fluids Test organization for development and qualification testing across propulsion, thermal control systems, ECLSS, and pressurized hardware.
• Develop and execute long-term fluids test strategy for Haven-1 and future programs.
• Build, mentor, and scale a multidisciplinary team of test engineers, technicians, and infrastructure staff.
• Oversee design, operation, maintenance of fluids test stands, pressure, cryogenic, vacuum systems, and ground infrastructure.
• Drive integrated test campaigns to validate system performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
• Collaborate with Propulsion, Thermal, ECLSS, and other teams to align objectives and schedules.

Skills

Fluid systems testing

Leadership

Test infrastructure

Cross-functional collaboration

Data acquisition

Instrumentation

High-risk operations

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Engineering

Tools

DAQ system

Job description

Vast in Long Beach, CA is seeking an experienced Director, Fluid Systems Test to lead strategy, execution, and scaling of fluids test operations for Haven-1 and future spacecraft programs. You will build and mentor a multidisciplinary team, oversee test stands and cryogenic systems, and partner with propulsion, thermal, and avionics to align objectives and schedules.

This role requires 10+ years in aerospace fluid testing, strong leadership, and a track record of safely delivering high-risk