Vast
Mechanical Engineer II, Life Support Systems
About this role
Vast seeks an Engineer II to design and develop environmental and thermal control systems for next-generation artificial-gravity space stations. You'll own the complete lifecycle from initial design through orbit insertion, performing systems engineering, fluid analysis, and leading cross-functional design reviews with suppliers and customers.
What you'll do
- Design and develop environmental and thermal control systems for artificial-gravity space stations from concept to validation
- Perform systems engineering tasks and fluid analyses to optimize performance
- Lead design reviews internally and with external suppliers and customers
- Manage project delivery timelines from early design through production, launch, and orbit insertion
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate with avionics, software, and mission operations systems
- Ensure designs are manufacturable, reliable, and iterate on manufacturing processes in a fast-paced environment
What they're looking for
- Fluid and environmental control systems design
- Hardware fabrication, assembly, and testing
- Systems engineering and trade studies
- CAD software (NX preferred)
- Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
- Structural analysis (FEMAP, ANSYS, hand calculations)
- Manufacturing processes (machining, welding, brazing, tube bending)
- Root cause analysis and failure investigation
Benefits
- Company equity for full-time employees
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
- Generous paid time off: 20+ days vacation for exempt staff with annual cash-out option
- Paid parental leave and disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan and life insurance
- ClassPass credits and personalized mental healthcare access
Opens the application — the Jobs AI extension fills it for you. Set up autofill
Opens the official application on the employer’s site. No login required.
Vast
Vast develops Haven-1, a human-rated space station, and is hiring design reliability engineers across thermal, structures, propulsion, and avionics systems to ensure safe operations, as well as construction project engineers to support the station's development and construction.
- Website
- vast.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe a fluid or environmental control system you designed—what was your role in the development process from design through testing and validation?
- Walk us through a time when you encountered a design challenge in hardware systems; how did you approach root cause analysis and iterate on a solution?