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Propulsion Engineer - Mechanical Design Verified today

Vast · Long Beach, CA · Propulsion · first seen 2026-09-03
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Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure. Haven Demo's 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches in 2027.

We are looking for a Propulsion Engineer - Mechanical Design to support the development of systems required for the design and build of human-rated space stations. This is a full-time, exempt position in Long Beach, California.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as responsible engineer for propulsion mechanical hardware: tubing assemblies, brackets, mounts, and propulsion-owned secondary structure.
  • Act as primary interface between Propulsion and Structures teams, coordinating loads, interfaces, and design requirements.
  • Perform structural analysis to drive design decisions, covering static and dynamic loads, vibration, thermo-mechanical, and environmental considerations.
  • Perform mechanical design and analysis, develop manufacturing drawings, test plans, and concepts of operations.
  • Follow hardware from design release through build and acceptance.
  • Lead trade studies and own interfaces with adjacent subsystems.
  • Work directly with fabricators and technicians to improve designs, mature processes, and resolve build issues.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, physics, or math, or equivalent experience.
  • 4+ years of experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
  • 4+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical components or systems.

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Working knowledge of propulsion systems; time spent in or alongside a propulsion team.
  • Structural design and analysis of components for a high-performance vehicle or spacecraft.
  • Demonstrated failure analysis and root cause investigation skills.
  • Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • Design work in recent versions of NX/Teamcenter.
  • Analysis work in recent versions of Ansys, Femap/Nastran, or Abaqus.
  • Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis per ASME Y14.5.
  • Familiarity with spacecraft design and test specifications such as SMC-S-016 and NASA-STD-5001.

Compensation

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Pay range for this role:

  • Senior Propulsion Engineer Level III: $137,760 - $195,552
  • Staff Propulsion Engineer Level IV: $162,360 - $230,472
  • Principal Propulsion Engineer Level V: $186,960 - $265,392

Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off (20+ days for exempt staff), paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, mental healthcare through Spring Health, free snacks and meals, and subsidized lunch.

Additional Requirements

Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to support critical mission milestones.

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