Senior Test Engineer, Thermal Control Systems

<div class="content-intro"><p>At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.</p></div><p>Vast is looking for a <strong>Senior Test Engineer, Thermal Control Systems</strong>, reporting to the Manager, Thermal Test Engineering, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.</p> <p>This will be a<strong> full-time</strong>, <strong>exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Long Beach </strong> location. </p> <p><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Own and drive the full lifecycle of assigned thermal control system test campaigns of moderate complexity — from CONOP and test plan development through GSE design, build, instrumentation, execution, data analysis, and closeout — supporting near-term and long-term space habitat missions</li> <li>Perform hands-on assembly, integration, instrumentation, and testing of thermal and fluid systems (tubing, heat exchangers, cold plates, pumps, valves, heaters, MLI), ensuring compliance with engineering specifications, safety protocols, and industry standards</li> <li>Develop and maintain detailed test plans, procedures, work instructions, and manufacturing plans, and uphold rigorous test traceability across design, planning, execution, and post-processed data to ensure alignment with subsystem requirements and program milestones</li> <li>Collaborate cross-functionally with thermal design, analysis, systems, integration, and manufacturing teams — and support suppliers — to inform manufacturability, assembly, and testability of thermal hardware and ensure timely delivery of quality components</li> <li>Investigate and resolve complex technical issues through root cause analysis, coordinating with technicians, engineers, and suppliers to implement lasting corrective actions</li> <li>Provide technical input in design and test reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.) and contribute to continuous improvement efforts that boost test efficiency, manufacturing yield, and data quality</li> <li>Serve as a reliable technical contributor and informal mentor to junior engineers, while helping shape best practices and standardization within the test engineering team</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, with 5+ years of experience across thermal systems, fluid systems, manufacturing engineering, and/or test engineering in aerospace or similarly demanding environments</li> <li>Strong foundation in fluid systems — including fluid mechanics, system design, P&amp;IDs, test instrumentation and fittings, safety protocols, and troubleshooting methodologies — along with hands-on experience testing and troubleshooting fluid, mechanical, and electromechanical components and performing root-cause analysis of failures</li> <li>Demonstrated experience owning and executing test campaigns end-to-end, from objective definition and CONOP development through GSE design, build, instrumentation, test execution, and data analysis, including contributing to test automation and data review tools</li> <li>Proficiency in CAD software (such as Siemens NX) for reviewing designs and creating manufacturing and test documentation, and a proven ability to contribute to cross-functional engineering initiatives and drive projects to on-time completion in fast-paced environments</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Skills &amp; Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Hands-on experience with supercritical fluid systems, high-pressure and LN2 test operations (including serving as test conductor), and thermal control hardware manufacturing/assembly processes (fluid tubing, heat exchangers, cold plates, MLI), with the ability to identify manufacturability risks</li> <li>Working GD&amp;T proficiency for reviewing engineering drawings and ensuring design intent translates correctly into manufactured hardware, plus experience with paints, coatings, adhesives, and contamination-sensitive processes in an aerospace environment</li> <li>Familiarity with aerospace test standards and codes (e.g., SMC-S-016, ASME B31.3) and the aerospace test lifecycle (PDR, CDR, TRR, ATP, QTP), with the ability to interpret and apply requirements in real-world test environments</li> <li>Working knowledge of data acquisition systems, sensor selection, signal diagnostics, and data analysis techniques, with solid depth in a primary discipline and working knowledge across controls, electronics, wiring, and instrumentation</li> </ul> <p> </p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$137,760</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$195,552 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS<br></strong><br>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 &amp; 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.</p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong><br>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS<br><br></strong>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 <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> 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.<br><br></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong><br><br>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 identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.</p></div>