VAST is seeking a Senior Manager of Propulsion Analysis  to lead and grow our multidisciplinary analysis team. This role will focus on advancing Vast’s structural analysis capabilities while also integrating fluid and thermal modeling into overall space station system performance. You will manage a team of analysts across structural, thermal, and fluid domains, set technical standards, and ensure models and simulations directly inform design decisions and certification. 

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Manage and lead a team of up to 6 analysts, including hiring, mentoring, and technical development.
• Set standards for analysis methods, documentation, and best practices in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Expand company capabilities in analysis by validating and establishing methods and practices across structural, fluid, and thermal domains.
  
  

Structural Analysis

• Create and maintain FEA models of propulsion components to support design and certification.
• Define and review critical loads and load cases in collaboration with GNC, fluids analysis, dynamics/loads engineers and design teams.
• Mentor design and analysis engineers in analysis methods and validation via testing to review/approve component drawings with feedback.
• Partner with test engineering to plan and execute structural and dynamic tests, and perform associated analyses.
  
  

Fluids & Thermal Analysis

• Oversee multiphase propellant feed system and microgravity fluid behavior modeling, including vaporization, condensation, propellant acquisition and slosh dynamics.
• Guide high-pressure gas system analysis, transient flow behavior (e.g., water hammer, adiabatic compression), and thruster plume impingement studies.
• Support development and validation of propulsion fluid systems using best practices 
• Integrate simulation results with ground and flight test data to validate models and refine designs.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with design, manufacturing, propulsion, thermal, and GN&C teams to ensure analysis informs critical decisions.
• Present technical findings at design reviews and contribute to NASA certification processes.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions when issues arise.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering field.
• 8+ years of relevant aerospace design and analysis experience.
• 2+ years of experience overseeing / managing a technical engineering or analysis team.
• Strong expertise in structural analysis, including FEA modeling, stress analysis, and load case development.
• Experience with thermo fluid analysis tools (CFD, 1-D system modeling, etc.)
• Knowledge of mechanical design, manufacturing processes, and design-for-manufacturability principles.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related Engineering.
• Experience in human spaceflight hardware design and analysis.
• Expertise in multiphase fluid dynamics, propellant management, and slosh modeling under low-gravity conditions.
• Experience with thermo-mechanical fatigue, fracture analysis, and spectrum loading fatigue analysis.
• Hands-on experience with high-pressure gas systems, transient fluid dynamics and heat exchangers.
• 5+ years of experience with liquid or gas  rocket engine combustion devices, including RCS design.
• Track record of leading multidisciplinary teams linking analysis predictions with test and qualification data to accelerate hardware development and certification.

Vast is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer, Propulsion, reporting to the Senior Manager, Haven-1 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: 

• Collaborate closely with propulsion and systems design teams to provide manufacturing and assembly input for component hardware such as valves, regulators, tubing, ducting, manifolds, COPVs, fittings, and instrumentation used in propulsion and pressurization systems.
• Develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes and production equipment for propulsion components, with a focus on repeatability, quality, cost, and flight reliability.
• Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, travelers, and work instructions to support production of propulsion hardware across development, qualification, and flight builds.
• Support propulsion systems including propellant feed, pressurization, venting, purge, and safety-critical fluid systems.
• Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges through hands-on troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Work directly with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality propulsion components, including review and approval of supplier manufacturing processes and documentation.
• Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of propulsion components and sub-assemblies, ensuring compliance with engineering requirements and applicable aerospace standards.
• Participate in design and manufacturing readiness reviews, providing actionable feedback to improve manufacturability, reliability, and scalability of propulsion hardware.
• Partner with quality engineering to define inspection methods, acceptance criteria, and process controls for safety-critical fluid components.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cycle time, improve yield, and increase robustness of propulsion manufacturing processes.
• Stay current with propulsion manufacturing techniques, materials, joining methods, and industry best practices to inform design and production decisions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, propulsion, or high-reliability fluid systems.
• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., Siemens NX) and the ability to review designs, generate manufacturing documentation, and design assembly or test tooling.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Strong cross-functional communication skills and the ability to work effectively with propulsion, systems, test, and quality teams.
• High attention to detail and a strong ownership mindset for safety-critical hardware.
• Strong GD&T knowledge and experience creating and reviewing engineering drawings.
• Strong understanding of propulsion fluid systems, including tube fabrication, welding/brazing, cleaning, and assembly processes.
• Experience with manufacturing and assembly of high-pressure or hazardous fluid systems.
• Proven problem-solving skills with hands-on root cause analysis experience.
• Hands-on experience testing, troubleshooting, and qualifying propulsion or fluid components is highly desirable.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends as needed to support critical propulsion testing and mission milestones.

Vast is looking for a Propulsion Test Engineer, reporting to the Director, Mojave Test Site, to support the development of the propulsion 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 Mojave location. 

Responsibilities: 

• Execute hot-fire testing for the development and qualification of in-house thrusters and vehicle-level chemical propulsion systems.
• Lead hazardous operations including work with high pressure fluids and combustion device testing.
• Write test procedures for hazardous operations.
• Prepare and lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs). 
• Work side by side with the test stand technicians during test article install and inspection. 
• Maintain and design modifications to test stand fluids and electrical systems to meet current and expanding test requirements. 
• Work collaboratively with Long Beach based responsible engineers to meet test requirements, design test stand modifications, and debug test stand problems rapidly.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or related field. 
• 2+ years of experience in the operation, design, and development of chemical propulsion and/or fluid systems, or hardware testing. 

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with chemical propulsion systems, combustion devices, and/or collegiate rocket program
• Experience with NX and Teamcenter
• Experience with JIRA / Confluence
• Experience with controls & data acquisition systems (e.g., Beckhoff/TwinCAT, National Instruments/LabVIEW)
• Experience building and testing high pressure fluid systems
• Tube fitting & bending, familiarity with common industry fittings systems 
• Read & interpret Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
• Excellent scientific, engineering, and interpersonal communication skills, both written and oral, along with effective teamwork abilities
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
• Specific certifications, as appropriate

Pay Range: 

• Propulsion Test Engineer I: $84,200 - $108,780
• Propulsion Test Engineer II: $110,000 - $142,100