Mechanical Engineer I, Thermal Control Systems Verified today

About the role

Vast is developing Haven-1, the world's first commercial space station launching in 2027. The Thermal Control Systems team acts as the cardiovascular system for the space station, performing hands-on interface testing and validation of components and assemblies. You will gain direct operating experience with integrated vehicle systems, helping to activate flight hardware for the first time.

What you will do

• Own the design and development of thermal control system components (heat exchangers, cold plates, heaters, heat pipes) for the artificial-gravity space station from initial design trades to fully functional and validated system.
• Iterate on manufacturing processes and development testing in a fast-paced environment.
• Own the project delivery timeline from early design through production, launch, and orbit insertion.
• Perform systems engineering tasks and fluid analyses.
• Lead design reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers.
• Work with interdisciplinary stakeholders to ensure components integrate with avionics, software, and mission operations systems.
• Ensure all designs are manufacturable and reliable.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar field (completed or expected by June 2026).
• 1+ years of academic and/or internship experience with hands-on hardware: fabrication, assembly, and/or testing.
• Experience working with fluid systems or components.
• Ability to work full-time onsite in Long Beach, California.

Preferred skills and experience

• Demonstrated ability to own hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting.
• Proactive problem-solving: failure analysis, root cause investigation, design of experiments.
• Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals.
• Experience with rotating machinery.
• Proficiency in NX CAD software.
• Solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Experience with structural analysis methods (hand calculations, FEMAP, ANSYS) to optimize hardware to strength requirements and evaluate life and fracture.
• Knowledge of metallic and fluid system manufacturing: machining, welding, brazing, tube bending.
• Ability to work well in integrated collaborative team environments with technicians, engineers, and managers.
• Self-motivated with strong organizational and communication skills; able to prioritize and execute tasks in high-pressure environments with drive for continuous improvement.

Additional requirements

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.

Compensation and benefits

Base salary range: $85,000 to $108,000 USD (varies by experience and demonstrated capability). Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off (20+ days vacation for exempt staff, cashable annually); paid parental leave; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; ClassPass credits; mental healthcare through Spring Health; and on-site perks including free snacks, coffee, cold drinks, and dinner, plus subsidized lunch.

Export control requirement

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls and must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62. This includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted (not pending).