Mechanical Engineer II, Thermal Control Systems

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 112,340 - 159,468; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous paid time off

Subsidized meals and snacks

Job summary

Vast is looking for a Thermal Control Systems Mechanical Engineer in Long Beach, CA. This full-time position includes responsibilities in designing thermal control systems for their artificial-gravity space station projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in fluid systems, hardware fabrication, and a degree in mechanical engineering.

The position offers competitive compensation, full medical coverage, paid vacation days, and other employee benefits, ensuring a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly and/or testing.
• Demonstrated ability to own hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and development of thermal control systems and components.
• Lead design reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers.
• Ensure designs are manufacturable and reliable.

Skills

Experience working with fluid systems or components

Hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication

Proactive problem-solving skills

Ability to perform trade studies

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or other discipline

Tools

NX

FEMAP

ANSYS

Job description

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.

Thermal Control Systems Mechanical Engineer

Reporting to the Manager, Thermal Control Hardware to support the development of systems required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This is a full‑time, exempt position located in our Long Beach, CA location.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and development of thermal control system and components for our artificial‑gravity space station, from initial design trades to fully functional and validated system
• Possible thermal components include heat exchangers, cold plates, heaters, heat pipes, etc.
• Iterate on manufacturing processes and development testing in a fast‑paced environment
• Own the project delivery timeline from early design through production, launch, and orbit insertion
• Perform systems engineering tasks and fluid analyses
• Lead design reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers
• Work with interdisciplinary stakeholders to ensure the component will integrate with the necessary avionics, software, and mission operations systems
• Make sure that all designs are manufacturable and reliable
• Bring technical excellence to everything you do

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline
• Experience working with fluid systems or components
• 5+ years of hands‑on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly and/or testing

Preferred Skills & Experience

• 4+ years of experience working with fluid systems or components
• Demonstrated ability to own hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting
• 4+ years of hands‑on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly and/or testing
• Proactive problem‑solving skills such as failure analysis, root cause investigation, and design of experiment creation
• Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make clear recommendations even with partial information
• Experience with rotating machinery
• Experience in NX
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T and tolerance stack‑up analysis
• Experience with structural analysis methods (hand calcs, FEMAP, ANSYS) to optimize hardware strength and evaluate life and fracture
• Knowledge of metallic and fluid system manufacturing techniques, processes, equipment, and other processes such as machining, welding, brazing, tube bending, etc.
• Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and managers
• 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

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range: California: $112,340—$159,468 USD.

Base salary will vary depending on job‑related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full‑time employees also receive company equity, and a full suite of benefits: 100% 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 for non‑exempt staff with option 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 offer food perks, such as free snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals; lunch is subsidized.

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 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.