Structures Test Engineer (Hydraulic Power Engineer)

Vast; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 137,760 - 195,552; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous paid time off

Onsite meals and snacks

Job summary

Vast in Mojave is seeking a Sr. Structures Test Engineer to support the design and development of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. You will be the responsible engineer for the Haven-1 primary structure test stand and lead maintenance and operations on hydraulic systems.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and over 5 years’ experience in hydraulics power engineering or structural test engineering, along with a deep understanding of hydraulic system troubleshooting and maintenance.

This is a full-time exempt position with a competitive salary range from $137,760 to $195,552, coupled with comprehensive benefits including medical coverage and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in hydraulics power engineering and/or structural test engineering.
• Highly experienced with hydraulic repair, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Responsible engineer for the Haven-1 Primary Structure test stand.
• Lead hazardous operations for static load testing of the Haven-1 primary structure.
• Coordinate stand modifications and upgrades to meet changing test requirements.

Skills

Hydraulics power engineering

Structural test engineering

Test procedure writing

Hydraulic system troubleshooting

Effective communication

Teamwork abilities

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Hydraulic systems

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.

Vast is looking for a Sr. Structures Test Engineer, with a background in Hydraulics power engineering, reporting to the Director, Mojave Test Site to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located at VAST’s Mojave Test Site location.

Responsibilities

• Responsible engineer for the Haven-1 Primary Structure test stand.
• Responsible for the maintenance, operations, upgrading and debugging of the test stand hydraulic system.
• Lead hazardous operations for static load testing of the Haven-1 primary structure.
• Write test procedures for hazardous operations.
• Lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs).
• Work side by side with the test stand technicians during maintenance and testing operations.
• Be the subject matter expert for hydraulics systems on the test site.
• Coordinate stand modifications and upgrades to meet changing test requirements.
• Flex to support propulsion or fluids components testing as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in hydraulics power engineering and/or structural test engineering.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Highly experienced with all aspects of hydraulic repair, troubleshooting, installation, preventative maintenance and field service.
• Experience writing test procedures
• Experience building and testing high pressure hydraulics systems.
• Hydraulic plumbing fabrication experience.
• Read & interpret Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, along with effective teamwork abilities
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted
• Ability to work outside in harsh weather conditions in the Mojave desert with temperatures exceeding 110F.

Pay Range: California $137,760 — $195,552 USD

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: 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 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.