Principal Haven Propulsion Systems Engineer

Vast is looking for a Principal Haven Propulsion Systems Engineer reporting to the Director of Haven Propulsion 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 in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities:

• Develop (design, analyze, build, and test) propulsion thrusters, fluid components (e.g., valves, instrumentation, etc.), tanks/pressure vessels, and/or fluid systems specific to spacecraft serving space stations.
• Own critical spacecraft propulsion hardware/systems, assuming profound responsibility for their hardware.
• Interface with a world-class production team to ensure successful translation of designs into spacecraft.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics.
• 10+ years of mechanical or fluids design, analysis, or build experience (student project team and internship experience qualifies). 

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Advanced degree in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft and/or launch vehicle propulsion systems and fluid components.
• Experience in NX 8.5 or other CAD packages (PTC Creo, CATIA) with a solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5-1994.
• Proficient in basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, materials, and electrical circuits.
• Professional or project experience with FEMAP, ANSYS, or similar finite element analysis (FEA) software tools, as well as a good understanding of fatigue, fracture, and crack propagation.
• Knowledge of metallic and fluid system manufacturing techniques, processes, equipment, and other processes such as machining, electron beam welding, orbital tube welding, tube bending, structural assembly, etc.
• Good understanding and experience working with aerospace materials (metals, plastics, composites).
• Solid understanding of test methods/setups and data acquisition systems.
• Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make clear recommendations even with partial information.
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight.
• Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and managers.
• Highly self-motivated with strong organizational and written/oral communication skills – able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment with the ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Up to 10% travel to Mojave as needed.

Pay Range: 

• Principal Haven Propulsion Systems Engineer Level V: $185,000-$245,000