Vast
Solar Array Engineer, Mechanical
About this role
Vast is seeking a Mechanical Solar Array Engineer to design and analyze deployment and articulation mechanisms for next-generation commercial space stations launching in 2027. You'll work on spring-driven systems, motorized gimbals, and rotating joints while ensuring compliance with NASA standards and supporting full environmental test campaigns.
What you'll do
- Design and analyze solar array deployment mechanisms including springs, latches, dampers, and hold-down/release devices
- Design motorized solar array articulation systems with gimbals, gearboxes, bearings, and drive electronics
- Build and maintain torque budgets per NASA-STD-5017B with friction, margin analysis, and verification
- Select and specify space-rated bearings, lubricants, motors, gearboxes, and drivetrain components
- Perform mechanism life analysis and define qualification test programs for bearing and lubricant performance
- Support environmental testing campaigns and troubleshoot anomalies during vibration, thermal, and life testing
What they're looking for
- Electromechanical mechanism design (bearings, gears, springs, motors)
- Torque and force budget development from first principles
- NASA-STD-5017B and SMC-S-016 standards knowledge
- Space environment tribology (MoS₂, WS₂, space-rated greases)
- CAD (NX preferred) and FEA analysis
- MATLAB or Python for mechanism dynamics
- Environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, life testing)
- Spacecraft mechanism integration and hands-on assembly
Benefits
- Competitive salary and comprehensive compensation package
- Opportunity to work on operational commercial space station technology
- Access to world-class manufacturing facilities in Long Beach
- Collaboration with experienced aerospace teams
- Exposure to next-generation space infrastructure development
- Support for critical space missions with mission-driven work
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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 spring-driven deployment mechanism you designed; how did you verify torque margin on the ground and account for thermal effects?
- Walk us through building a torque budget for a solar array drive assembly—what friction sources and disturbance torques would you include?