Staff Haven Propulsion/Fluids Systems Analyst

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026. 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.

Vast is looking for a Senior Propulsion/Fluids Systems Analyst, reporting to the Sr. Director, Propulsion Development, to support the development of the propulsion, life support, and thermal control 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.

Responsibilities:

• Thrust chamber analysis to include conjugate heat transfer and CFD modeling of film and regenerative cooling for liquid propellant spacecraft thrusters.
• Life support system analysis to include CFD of air distribution systems and cabin air volumes.
• Planning and participating in test campaigns, and anchoring analysis with test data.
• Creating and reviewing dynamic system models of pressure fed systems and associated tank, valve and line sizing for Propulsion, Life Support and Thermal Control Systems.
• Efficiently developing analysis models with commercially available CFD programs.
• Developing and teaching to other engineers best practices in analysis.
• Presenting analysis for NASA or other certification programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent.
• 5+ years experience with CFD software packages in industry: Star-CCM+, Fluent, or equivalent.
• 5+ years experience with thermo-hydraulic analysis software packages in industry: SINDA/FLUINT, GFSSP, or equivalent.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Familiarity with structural analysis packages in industry: NASTRAN, Ansys, or equivalent.
• Prior experience with space hardware in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Master's or terminal degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent.
• Leadership experience on an engineering or project team.
• Establishing analysis best practices and methodologies.
• Completion of certification effort for flight hardware.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.
• Specific certifications, as appropriate.

Pay Range:

• Staff Propulsion/Fluids Analyst: $159,100 - 205,800