Propulsion Engineer - Pressure Vessels Lead (COPV) Verified today
Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure. Haven Demo became the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft in 2025. Haven-1 is expected to launch in 2027 as the world's first commercial space station.
We are looking for a Lead Propulsion Engineer to design and qualify the pressure vessels for human-rated space stations. Haven Station carries composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPV) and metallic tanks for propulsion and crew life support gases. You will lead a team to own the in-house design, development, and flight qualification of these vessels.
What you will do
- Lead the pressure vessel team: set technical direction, review work, and develop the responsible engineers and analysts under you
- Serve as technical authority over the Haven Station COPV and metallic tank designs, reviewing and approving releases
- Set the analysis and test approach for the team: composite layup analysis, stress and fracture, proof, burst, cycle, and stress rupture testing
- Lead failure investigations on prototype and qualification hardware and carry findings into the next design iteration
- Own tank requirements and interfaces with Propulsion, ECLSS, and Structures
- Support responsible engineers with the liner supplier, winder, and metallic fabrication shops on specifications, deviations, inspection, and acceptance
- Work with matrixed manufacturing engineers on producibility, inspection methods, and a plan to bring winding in house
- Write and defend the qualification and fracture control approach for crewed flight
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials science, or equivalent experience
- 4+ years of experience designing, analyzing, or testing pressure vessels or composite structures for flight or other high consequence use
- Experience carrying hardware from design through build and test
Preferred skills and experience
- Composite overwrapped pressure vessel design, analysis, or test, for propulsion, life support, or any other application
- Design and qualification to AIAA S-081 or S-080
- Fracture control for crewed spacecraft per NASA-STD-5019
- Filament winding pattern design and composite manufacturing
- Titanium tank fabrication: forgings, superplastic forming, welding, heat treatment, and inspection
- Propellant management device design
- Type IV hydrogen or CNG tank development
- Analysis in Ansys, Abaqus, or Femap/Nastran, including laminate analysis. WoundSim or similar winding simulation is a plus
- Experience leading or mentoring engineers and reviewing their design releases
- Hands-on time in a composites or pressure vessel shop
Additional requirements
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Occasional travel to suppliers and to the Mojave Test Site
Compensation
Base salary: $136,120 to $193,224 USD (California). Salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand.
Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents; paid time off of 20+ days vacation for exempt staff with ability to cash out unused vacation annually; paid parental leave; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; ClassPass credits; mental healthcare through Spring Health; free snacks, drip coffee, onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals; subsidized lunch.
Export control
The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls. You 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.
This is a full-time, exempt position located in Long Beach, California.