Thermal Controls Engineer - Space Station (New Grad)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Equity

Job summary

Vast Space Llc. in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Thermal Control Systems (New Grad) to design, build, and test cooling hardware for a next‑generation space station. You will contribute to heat exchangers, cold plates, heaters, and heat pipes under guidance from senior engineers.

This full‑time, exempt role offers hands‑on development, collaboration with avionics, software, and mission operations teams, and opportunities to grow in a fast‑paced aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, 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 an artificial-gravity space station with guidance from senior engineers.
• Perform thermal and fluid analyses to size components and verify requirements.
• Contribute to design trades and support systems engineering tasks such as tracking requirements and interfaces.
• Plan and run development tests, collect data, and use results to improve designs and manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with avionics, software, and mission operations teams to ensure integration.
• Work hands-on with technicians and suppliers to build, test, and troubleshoot hardware.
• Design with manufacturability and reliability in mind.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

GD&T fundamentals

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, civil engineering, physics, mathematics, or related

Tools

NX CAD

Teamcenter PLM

ANSYS

Job description

Vast Space Llc. in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Thermal Control Systems (New Grad) to design, build, and test cooling hardware for a next‑generation space station. You will contribute to heat exchangers, cold plates, heaters, and heat pipes under guidance from senior engineers.

This full‑time, exempt role offers hands‑on development, collaboration with avionics, software, and mission operations teams, and opportunities to grow in a fast‑paced aerospace environment.