Senior Finite Element Vehicle Architect

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision coverage

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Onsite meals and beverages

Job summary

Vast, headquartered in Long Beach, California, seeks a Finite Element Vehicle Architect to support the Haven space station program by building and maintaining vehicle-level FEA models and performing structural dynamics analyses. The role collaborates with design engineers to ensure models align with design intent and supports vibration testing planning.

As a full-time exempt position reporting to the Senior Manager, Dynamics and Loads in Long Beach, you will expand analysis capabilities and

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent).
• Proficiency with FEA software (Femap/Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys).
• Strong grasp of structural dynamics fundamentals for dynamic response prediction.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain FEA models for vehicle-level systems.
• Perform structural dynamics analyses for sizing, mass, and cost optimization.
• Collaborate with design engineers on dynamics and static analysis methods.
• Ensure vehicle prediction models reflect design intent.
• Expand company capability by validating methods and practices.
• Plan and execute vibration tests with hardware owners and test engineering.

Skills

FEA software proficiency

Structural dynamics fundamentals

Nastran expertise

Automation in FEA workflows

Design load cycle understanding

Education

BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Femap/Nastran

Abaqus

Ansys

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 Finite Element Vehicle Architect reporting to the Senior Manager, Dynamics and Loads to support the development of the 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.

The Structural Dynamics team is responsible for low and high-frequency load & environment predictions for all Vast space stations during ground transportation, ascent, and on-orbit operations. This role will be responsible for building, maintaining, and managing the vehicle systems-level Finite Element Model of our Haven space station program, and oversee future FEA engineering needs across Vast’s future product portfolio.

Responsibilities:

• Create and maintain FEA models of vehicle level systems and space station program
• Perform structural dynamics analysis that informs structural sizing for strength, mass, and cost optimization
• Collaborate closely with design engineers in dynamics and static analysis methods
• Communicate with design organization to ensure vehicle prediction models match design intent
• Expand company capability in analysis through validating and establishing methods and practices
• Work with hardware owners and test engineering to plan and execute vibration tests, as well as perform supporting analyses

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent)
• Proficiency in commercial FEA software (ie Femap/Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys )
• Strong grasp of structural mechanic fundamentals used for dynamic response prediction (single degree of freedom systems, damping, beam bending)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Spacecraft and/or Payload background with experience through the entire system lifecycle from concept, design, production, integration, test, launch, to operation support
• Demonstrated expertise with Nastran
• Automation and Workflow Generation for FEA softwares
• Working understanding of a design load cycle and how it relates to analysis and test
• Knowledge of spacecraft analysis and launch load environments and industry standard documents (NASA-STD-5001, SMC-S-016, etc.)
• Establishment of of company internal specifications or best practices

Pay Range: California

$137,760 — $230,472 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.