Head of Propulsion Engineering

We are looking for a dynamic Head of Propulsion to lead our propulsion team and play a critical role in achieving this groundbreaking goal.  As the Head of Propulsion, you will report to the Chief Technical Officer and lead a team dedicated to developing, testing, and integrating propulsion systems for our space stations. Your work will be vital for maintaining our space stations' attitude, orbit control, and docking operations. At Vast, propulsions systems are critical for maintaining our on-orbit attitude, orbit raising, spin/de-spin, de-saturation and docking operations of our space stations. The team designs and tests bi-prop thruster systems, feed systems and works with our partners on propulsion components, systems and solutions for our space stations. Team activities include modeling of the propulsion system, design of test systems and implementation of V&V plans that leverage test systems at our dedicated Mojave test site.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Recruit, lead, and mentor a diverse team of engineers and technicians in designing and building propulsion systems, fluid modeling, and testing programs.
• Design & Development: Oversee the design of in-space ethane/nitrous oxide pressure-fed gas thrusters and guide system optimization and trade studies.
• System Modeling: Develop integrated physics models for 2-phase fluid, thermal, pressure, and mass flow to define operating parameters.
• Mission Planning: Collaborate with GNC to model thruster use and commodity consumption across mission phases using Monte Carlo simulations.
• Thermal Design: Work with the thermal team on the on-orbit thermal environments of propulsion components, including tanks, accumulators, and thrusters.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Avionics and Software teams to develop control, telemetry, and propulsion utilization algorithms.
• Project Management: Track and maintain the schedule for propulsion deliverables and manage multiple development and test programs.
• Manufacturing Coordination: Work with manufacturing and additive teams to produce propulsion components and manage vendor relationships.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in designing complex fluid systems for propulsion.
• Proven leadership experience in managing propulsion design teams and cross-functional engineering projects.
• Direct experience as a people manager.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Master’s degree in Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Expertise in designing and modeling 2-phase propellant systems.
• Experience leading multiple development and test programs with varied timelines.
• Manufacturing experience with 3D-printed metal propulsion parts.
• Project management skills across a portfolio of projects.
• Vendor management experience for outsourced components and systems.
• Strong team-building and recruiting capabilities.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 20%.
• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.