Test Engineer, Structures Test

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite , a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California , and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Test Engineer, reporting to the Director of Structures Test , 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. In this role, you will support the ongoing development of our Haven-1 space station module, with a primary focus on primary and secondary structures testing. You will work closely with design REs, test technicians, and other teams such as Manufacturing, Integration, and Avionics to meet design/mission requirements and industry standards.

Responsibilities:

Work under the direction of the Director of Structures Test to develop and execute testing on primary and secondary structure of the Haven-1 Space Station

Mentor other engineers and technicians on the team

Adhere to, enforce, and improve the test processes and good practices of Vast and the test organization

Produce professional and traceable documentation, including electrical, mechanical, and fluid schematics of the test systems

Work with responsible engineers to design, prepare, and execute test campaigns. This includes the manufacture of new test stands and/or operation of existing resources

Perform all necessary design, analysis, and project management

Conduct TRR (Test Readiness Review), PDR (Preliminary Design Review) and/or CDR (Critical Design Review) before all design/tests are started

Find creative solutions to unique issues in order to save cost and schedule while improving overall quality and safety

Come up with great ideas and be empowered to make them a reality

Design, analyze, and own the test setup

Continuous learning/Improvement—and share them with your team members

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline

1+ years of experience in an engineering environment (test, launch, manufacturing, etc.)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Ability to design and perform product environmental testing based on the requirements provided in SMC-S-016, GEVS NASA-STD-7000a, MIL STD 810G. etc.

Experience planning and executing engineering operations in a time-sensitive and high-risk environment

Own assembly, checkouts and development test stands

Ability to quickly understand and troubleshoot new/existing systems

Experience writing and executing test plans/procedures in collaboration with design engineers

Experience with designing and implementing instrumentation systems

Experience in structural design and analysis of test fixtures

Experience working across engineering groups to define requirements and implement solutions

Execute deliverables based on prioritized implementation plans and timelines

Ability to rapidly change priorities between several projects

Identify key unknowns and quickly close knowledge gaps

Deliver the highest value results quickly and iterate towards successive milestones

Perform structured root cause analysis of test failures

Experience designing and/or working with closed-loop control systems (hydraulic/ pressure systems)

Experience with working with DAQ software i.e. NI, Beckoff, and/or Dewesoft

Experience working with DAQ hardware i.e. NI, Beckoff, and/or Dewesoft

Experience operating / working with high-pressure gas systems

Experience generating test system P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) using Visio / Lucidchart or equivalent

Experience with creating and maintaining project schedules with Smartsheet, Project or equivalent

Experience with SVN, GIT, or other version management systems

Experience with Teamcenter or other PLM systems

Experience with CAD systems, NX preferable

Experience with JIRA and/or Confluence

Experience with selection of precision sensor and measurement devices (i.e. loadcells, thermocouples, pressure sensors, deflection transducers)

Ability to thrive as an individual contributor and as part of a team

Ability to add something unique and positive to our team

Generally high level of all-around awesomeness

Additional Requirements:

Must be able to travel to our Mojave Test site (~25% of the time)

Must be able to work varying hours/shifts and available for extended hours as well as weekends when needed

Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and be able to maneuver in tight spaces; physically able to handle items weighing up to 25lbs (unassisted)

Ability and desire to perform in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment

Pay Range: California

$86,100 — $195,552 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

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

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender ide