Senior Propulsion Engineer

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 Senior Propulsion Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager of E-2 Engineering, to create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers, while optimizing for production and low cost. In this role, you will join a team with exciting momentum that has produced and successfully tested fully integrated engine development samples. You will be a key member who will help complete the flight engine design and transition the system from development to production.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Hawthorne location.

Responsibilities

• Design: work with our team and Chief Engineer to advance the design of E-2. Create models and drawings of parts and assemblies. Perform calculations and analyses with team support.
• Manufacturing: work with our internal manufacturing team to create finished E-2 parts. Support parts through 3d-printing, machining, post processing, and inspection. Incorporate feedback to improve design for manufacturing.
• Assembly and test: support our integration team with propulsion component assembly build and testing
• Create schematics and document processes
• Participate in engine testing with our test team and support with troubleshooting as needed
• Communicate effectively with entire team to regularly provide updates on progress and issues
• Always follow proper safety procedures and wear personal protective equipment in the workplace

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience with mechanical design, development, fabrication, assembly, or test (internships included)

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Ability to work as a teammate and independently to achieve ambitious goals
• Hands-on engineering (Full-stack: computer to wrench to broom)
• Communication (Written, visual, slides)
• CAD (NX preferred)
• Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Problem-solving
• Capable to grow positive, respectful, and professional relationships
• Willing to make mistakes, take responsibilities, work independently and be transparent about your work
• ANSYS
• MATLAB

Additional Requirements:

• Able to lift 25 lbs unassisted
• Work in an outdoor environment exposed to extreme weather conditions
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range: California

$130,000—$190,000 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.