Manager, Thermal Test Engineering

Vast is looking for a Manager, Thermal Test Engineering, reporting to the Senior Manager, Thermal Control Systems, who is responsible for keeping the testing group inspired, actively involved, and cooperatively working toward the project’s objectives. From handling the planning phase to the execution phase, the end-to-end process falls under the purview of a responsible and adept Manager, Thermal Test Engineering. You will be responsible for staying current on testing-related tools, technologies, and best practices to guarantee a trustworthy and effective procedure by participating in business forums, conferences, ongoing education, and training for test management. This will allow you to stay up-to-date with industry trends and new technology.

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

Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for overseeing all testing of pressurized flight components and subassemblies associated with the vehicle
• Ensure the team follows the standards, processes, and tools for design of complex fluid system tests and test stands, including design, analysis, and activation
• Provide significant input, guidance, review, and oversight on your team’s work as a highly technical manager
• Exemplify a culture of excellence, extreme ownership, and safety
• Enable engineers to take responsibility for the system level impact of their work
• Collaborate with stakeholders, such as Engineers, Department Managers, and Manufacturing, and Quality to ensure that testing aligns with project goals and objectives
• Responsible for the development of the test organization and executing it to ensure it is consistent with the Vast’s objectives
• Recognize and control the dangers inherent in testing and devise plans to avoid and mitigate them
• Develop and execute testing approaches, test management tools, and best practices to uphold test management roles and responsibilities
• Oversee the planning, design, execution, and reporting of tests to ensure that the flight hardware meets quality standards and is free from errors or defects
• Coordinate all testing efforts, creating test cases, running tests, and handling defects
• Be an effective leader, communicator, and problem solver

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical, structural, fluid, and/or electrical systems
• 5+ years of experience working with fluid systems or components

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with component and system level troubleshooting skills and the ability to logically solve instrumentation system problems and determine corrective action
• Ability to communicate highly technical topics to a variety of audiences
• Ability to lead a dynamic flexible environment, be self-directed, and balance multiple tasks simultaneously
• Proven ability to manage technical teams and/or lead functional groups, with accountability for technical excellence of work outcomes, and employee career development
• Experience in research and development or other fast-paced technical environment
• Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules
• Proven ability to rapidly change roles, responsibilities, and learn new skills while working in a fast-paced and challenging work environment
• Experience with evaluation and testing of propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural systems
• Experience with thermal vacuum, vibration, and shock test equipment
• Basic understanding of mechanical GD&T requirements and/or electrical schematics
• Experience with electrical tools (oscilloscopes, multimeters, soldering irons, crimpers, strippers, etc.)
• Familiarity with harness build and termination techniques for use in extreme environments
• Experience building and activating data and control systems
• Experience with analog and digital instrumentation (load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, RTDs, TCs, encoders, deflection gages, LVDTs, accelerometers, IMUs)
• Knowledge/experience with high voltage systems (AC and DC)
• Comfortable and familiar with operating fabrication equipment (mill, lathe, drill press)
• Experience handling cryogenic fluids
• Experience with test operations procedures including hydraulic load control, hydro/pneumatic pressure control, writing or modifying automation, and configuration software systems and safe handling of flight part
• Proficient with standard computer software (i.e. Google Workspace)

Pay Range: 

• Manager, Engineering: $135,000 - $180,000