Director, Satellite Engineering Long , California,

Position

Director, Satellite Engineering. Vast seeks an experienced leader to develop a new constellation‑ready 15 kW spacecraft bus, a product line that will scale to hundreds of spacecraft per year. The first mission is a 10‑satellite demo launch in Q4 2027, targeting customers in communications constellations, on‑orbit compute, and scientific observation.

This will be a full‑time
, exempt position located in Long Beach
.

Vast is developing next‑generation space stations and aims to ensure a continuous human presence in space. The satellite bus program supports this mission by providing a flexible, scalable platform for a variety of payloads.

• Own technical authority for the satellite bus design – architecture decisions, make/buy strategy, and test philosophy.
• Manage and grow the engineering team across electronics, thermal, GNC, power, structures, flight software, and simulation.
• Drive the engineering schedule – ensure all avionics box development timelines hit their marks.
• Define the test strategy for all components and vehicle‑level work – set commercial standards for acceptance, proto‑qual, qualification, and qualification‑by‑similarity across the product line.
• Coordinate with solar array, electric propulsion, and Haven‑1 avionics/software teams.
• Make make/buy decisions across all subsystems.
• Manage engineering headcount – hiring and team development.

• Understand the satellite bus design, simulation toolchain, and program schedule.
• Establish working relationships with all subsystem leads and existing team members.
• Take ownership of the engineering schedule and identify critical‑path risks.
• Begin hiring and growing the engineering team – identify critical gaps, recruit, and build out the org with direct and dotted‑line reports.
• Take ownership of engineering execution – coordinate across the organization and drive the program toward PDR.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of engineering experience in aerospace or other hardware‑intensive industries.
• 5+ years of engineering management experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience leading spacecraft or complex hardware development programs from design through environmental test and delivery.
• Managed teams of 10+ engineers across multiple disciplines (EE, mechanical, thermal, GNC, software).
• Comfortable as technical authority – able to make architecture‑level trade decisions across subsystems.
• Experience with fast‑paced, small‑team hardware development – startup, new space, or skunk works environments preferred.
• Familiar with full box development lifecycle: design, prototype, environmental test, CDR, flight build, ATP/QTP.
• Comfortable with AI‑assisted engineering tools and workflows.
• Strong opinion on how to run a lean, effective hardware development program.

• Ability to obtain a security clearance.
• Experience with CMG or reaction wheel development.
• Experience delivering multi‑satellite builds (constellation or batch production).
• Background in avionics, power systems, or ADCS.

Base salary: $188,600 – $267,720 USD. Salary varies with job‑related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Full‑time employees also receive company equity and a comprehensive benefits package, including 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off, up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, Class Pass credits, personalized mental health care through Spring Health, and additional discounts.

On‑site food perks, including free snacks, drip coffee and barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals, and subsidized lunch are also provided.

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.