Test Engineer, Structures Test

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft.

Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

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 Test Engineer, reporting to the Director of Structures Test, to support the development of the 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. In this role, you will support the ongoing development of our Haven-1 space station module, with a primary focus on primary and secondary structures testing.

You will work closely with design REs, test technicians, and other teams such as Manufacturing, Integration, and Avionics to meet design/mission requirements and industry standards.

Responsibilities:
Work under the direction of the Director of Structures Test to develop and execute testing on primary and secondary structure of the Haven-1 Space Station Mentor other engineers and technicians on the team Adhere to, enforce, and improve the test processes and good practices of Vast and the test organization

Produce professional and traceable documentation, including electrical, mechanical, and fluid schematics of the test systems

Work with responsible engineers to design, prepare, and execute test campaigns. This includes the manufacture of new test stands and/or operation of existing resources

Perform all necessary design, analysis, and project management

Conduct TRR (Test Readiness Review), PDR (Preliminary Design Review) and/or CDR (Critical Design Review) before all design/tests are started

Find creative solutions to unique issues in order to save cost and schedule while improving overall quality and safety

Come up with great ideas and be empowered to make them a reality

Design, analyze, and own the test setup

Continuous learning/Improvement—and share them with your team members

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline1+ years of experience in an engineering environment (test, launch, manufacturing, etc.)Preferred

Skills & Experience:

Ability to design and perform product environmental testing based on the requirements provided in SMC-S-016, GEVS NASA-STD-7000a, MIL STD 810G. etc.

Experience planning and executing engineering operations in a time-sensitive and high-risk environment

Own assembly, checkouts and development test stands

Ability to quickly understand and troubleshoot new/existing systems

Experience writing and executing test plans/procedures in collaboration…