Propulsion Test Engineer Verified today
About Vast
Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. 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, followed by additional Haven modules.
The Role
You will join the Propulsion team as a Propulsion Test Engineer, reporting to the Propulsion Test Manager. This is a full-time, exempt position based in Mojave, California.
You will support the development of propulsion systems for artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
Responsibilities
- Perform thruster development, acceptance and qualification hot-fire testing
- Lead hazardous operations including work with high pressure fluids
- 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
- Propulsion experience in collegiate rocket program
- Experience with NX and Teamcenter
- Experience with Epsilon3
- Experience with JIRA and Confluence
- Experience with controls and data acquisition systems (e.g., Beckhoff/TwinCAT, National Instruments/LabVIEW)
- Experience building and testing high pressure fluid systems
- Tube fitting and bending, familiarity with common industry fittings systems
- Read and interpret Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted
- Ability to work in an outdoor, physically demanding test environment in extreme weather conditions, from freezing to 120 degrees Fahrenheit
Pay Range
- Propulsion Test Engineer I: $86,000 - $122,000
- Propulsion Test Engineer II: $112,000 - $155,000
- Senior Propulsion Test Engineer: $135,000 - $195,000
Pay is calibrated to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability.
Benefits
Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off (20+ days vacation for exempt staff, 10+ days for non-exempt with annual cash-out option); paid parental leave; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; ClassPass credits; personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health; free snacks, coffee, and onsite barista; free cold drinks and dinner; and subsidized lunch.
Export Control Requirement
You will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls. You must either be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. Section 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.