Manager, Fluid Systems Engineering

<div class="content-intro"><p>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.</p></div><p>Vast is seeking a <strong>Manager, Fluid Systems Engineering</strong> to lead the development of critical spacecraft systems that enable human life and operations in space.</p> <p>This leader will be responsible for building and leading a multidisciplinary engineering team focused on fluid-based systems across the spacecraft, including thermal control, environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), propulsion, pressurization, and other mission-critical fluid infrastructure.</p> <p>You will partner closely with systems engineering, manufacturing, integration, test, mission operations, and program leadership to deliver reliable, flight-ready hardware on aggressive development timelines. This role requires a strong technical foundation, hands-on engineering leadership, and a relentless focus on execution.</p> <p>This will be a full-time, <strong>exempt </strong>position located in our <strong>Long Beach or Mojave</strong> location.</p> <p><strong>Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead and develop a high-performing team of fluid systems engineers responsible for spacecraft hardware and systems.</li> <li>Provide technical direction for the design, development, integration, and qualification of fluid systems supporting human spaceflight.</li> <li>Own execution of hardware programs from concept development through production, launch, and on-orbit operations.</li> <li>Drive architecture decisions, trade studies, and system-level engineering decisions using first principles and sound engineering judgment.</li> <li>Partner closely with systems engineering, manufacturing, integration, test, quality, supply chain, and program teams to deliver flight-ready hardware.</li> <li>Lead design reviews and ensure designs meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and safety requirements.</li> <li>Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks throughout the product development lifecycle.</li> <li>Support hardware testing, troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and corrective actions.</li> <li>Establish team priorities, staffing plans, and development roadmaps aligned with program objectives.</li> <li>Recruit, mentor, and develop engineers while fostering a culture of technical excellence, ownership, and continuous improvement.</li> <li>Collaborate with suppliers and external partners to support hardware development and qualification efforts.</li> <li>Drive execution against aggressive schedules while maintaining a strong commitment to quality and mission success.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.</li> <li>8+ years of experience developing complex mechanical, fluid, thermal, propulsion, environmental control, or spacecraft systems.</li> <li>2+ years of technical leadership, team leadership, or engineering management experience.</li> <li>Demonstrated experience leading hardware development from concept through test, qualification, and production.</li> <li>Strong understanding of fluid systems and mechanical system design.</li> <li>Experience working in highly collaborative, fast-paced development environments.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Skills &amp; Experience</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience leading teams responsible for propulsion, thermal control, environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), fluid controls, cryogenic systems, or other high-reliability fluid systems.</li> <li>Spacecraft, launch vehicle, aerospace, defense, aviation, or other mission-critical hardware development experience.</li> <li>Strong background in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and systems engineering.</li> <li>Experience with failure investigations, root cause analysis, and risk management.</li> <li>Hands-on experience with fabrication, assembly, integration, testing, and troubleshooting of hardware systems.</li> <li>Experience with Siemens NX or similar CAD tools.</li> <li>Knowledge of GD&amp;T, tolerance analysis, and manufacturing processes including machining, welding, brazing, and tube fabrication.</li> <li>Experience working with suppliers and managing hardware development across internal and external teams.</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to balance technical rigor with rapid execution in a development-focused environment.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Pay Range:&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li>Manager, Fluid Systems Engineering $143,500 - $203,700</li> <li>Senior Manager, Fluid Systems Engineer $164,000 - $232,800</li> </ul><div class="content-conclusion"><div style="line-height: 1;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS</strong></div> <div style="line-height: 1;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="line-height: 1;"> <div> <div data-qa="message_pane"> <div> <div id="message-list"> <div id="message-list"> <div data-qa="slack_kit_scrollbar"> <div> <div data-qa="slack_kit_list"> <div id="message-list_1770163429.476589" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="1770163429.476589"> <div data-qa="message_container" data-qa-unprocessed="false" data-qa-placeholder="false" data-msg-ts="1770163429.476589" data-msg-channel-id="D1T52LDR4"> <div data-qa-hover="true"> <div> <div> <div> <div data-qa="message_content"> <div> <div data-qa="message-text"> <div data-qa="block-kit-renderer"> <div> <div> <div>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 &amp; 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.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="message-list_bottomSpacer" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="bottomSpacer"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="line-height: 1;"> <p><strong>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS</strong></p> 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 <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> 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.</div> <div style="line-height: 1;">&nbsp;</div> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong></p> <div style="line-height: 1;">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.</div></div>