Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Control Systems (New Grad)

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

PTO

Parental leave

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Meal perks

Onsite barista

Job summary

Vast is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Thermal Control Systems (New Grad) in Long Beach, CA. You will design, analyze, and test thermal control components for our space-station hardware, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure integration and reliability.

The role emphasizes hands-on development, manufacturability, and adherence to aerospace standards, with opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge space infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, or civil engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Coursework, project, or internship experience designing and developing mechanical components or systems.
• Familiarity with 3D CAD and FEA software through coursework, student project teams, or internships.
• Understanding of GD&T fundamentals (ASME Y14.5).

Responsibilities

• Design and develop thermal control system components for our artificial-gravity space station, such as heat exchangers, cold plates, heaters, and heat pipes, with guidance from senior engineers.
• Perform thermal and fluid analyses to size components and check that designs meet requirements.
• Contribute to design trades and support systems engineering tasks such as tracking requirements and interfaces.
• Help plan and run development tests, collect and interpret data, and use the results to improve designs and manufacturing processes.
• Work with avionics, software, and mission operations teams to make sure your components integrate with the rest of the station.
• Work hands-on with technicians and suppliers to build, test, and troubleshoot hardware.
• Design with manufacturability and reliability in mind.

Skills

3D CAD

FEA familiarity

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

Hands-on testing

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Engineering teamwork

Curiosity

Hardware troubleshooting

Education

B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, or civil engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field

Tools

NX CAD

Teamcenter PLM

Ansys

Femap/Nastran

Abaqus

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 Mechanical Engineer, Thermal Control Systems (New Grad), to help develop the systems behind our human-rated space stations. You'll use your engineering knowledge and creativity to design, build, and test novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology.

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

Responsibilities

• Design and develop thermal control system components for our artificial-gravity space station, such as heat exchangers, cold plates, heaters, and heat pipes, with guidance from senior engineers.
• Perform thermal and fluid analyses to size components and check that designs meet requirements.
• Contribute to design trades and support systems engineering tasks such as tracking requirements and interfaces.
• Help plan and run development tests, collect and interpret data, and use the results to improve designs and manufacturing processes.
• Work with avionics, software, and mission operations teams to make sure your components integrate with the rest of the station.
• Work hands-on with technicians and suppliers to build, test, and troubleshoot hardware.
• Design with manufacturability and reliability in mind.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, or civil engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Coursework, project, or internship experience designing and developing mechanical components or systems.
• Familiarity with 3D CAD and FEA software through coursework, student project teams, or internships.
• Understanding of GD&T fundamentals (ASME Y14.5).

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Participation in hands-on engineering teams such as Formula SAE, rocketry, CubeSat, or robotics.
• A portfolio or examples of designs you've taken from concept through build or test.
• Coursework, project, or internship experience designing structures or components for a high-performance vehicle or spacecraft.
• Familiarity with CAD tools, ideally NX, and exposure to PLM tools such as Teamcenter.
• Exposure to thermal or structural analysis using Ansys, Femap/Nastran, Abaqus, or similar tools.
• Working knowledge of GD&T fundamentals (ASME Y14.5).
• A curious, hands-on approach to problem solving, including interest in troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Hands-on experience building or testing hardware, whether through internships, co-ops, machine shops, or student project teams.
• Awareness of aerospace design and environmental test standards such as SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001, or MIL-STD-810.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Pay Ranges

• Mechanical Engineer/ Level I: $86,100.00 - $122,220.00

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability.

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.

Compensation And Benefits

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
• 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
• Other discounts and perks
• Exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge
• 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.