Space Propulsion Fluid Systems Engineer (Flight)

Vast Space Llc.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Equity participation

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Vast is building next-generation space stations and infrastructure from its Long Beach office. The Fluid Systems Engineer will design, develop, and integrate fluid hardware for environmental, propulsion, and pressurized systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, ownership-driven environment.

The role requires hands-on fabrication and shop-floor execution, with opportunities to influence design reviews and test programs across multiple programs and customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience with fluid, pressurized, propulsion, or environmental control hardware in design, manufacturing, or test.
• Hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, and/or testing experience.
• Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own design, development, and delivery of fluid system hardware from concept through flight across ECLSS, TCS, or propulsion programs.
• Perform fluid analyses, trade studies, and systems engineering tasks using first principles to drive clear design decisions.
• Design and develop pressurized hardware including tanks, valves, regulators, pumps, heat exchangers, tubing, and fittings.
• Execute build, assembly, and integration of fluid hardware on the shop floor alongside technicians.
• Support proof, leak, functional, and environmental testing including pressure decay, helium leak, burst, and TVAC.
• Disposition nonconformances and drive root cause investigation and corrective action.
• Interface with power, thermal, GNC, and avionics teams to ensure clean subsystem integration.
• Lead design reviews with internal teams, suppliers, and customers.

Skills

Fluid systems

Hands-on fabrication

Systems engineering

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Engineering

Tools

NX/Teamcenter

FEMAP/ANSYS

PLM/MES systems

Job description

Vast is building next-generation space stations and infrastructure from its Long Beach office. The Fluid Systems Engineer will design, develop, and integrate fluid hardware for environmental, propulsion, and pressurized systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, ownership-driven environment.

The role requires hands-on fabrication and shop-floor execution, with opportunities to influence design reviews and test programs across multiple programs and customers.