NX Designer

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 Staff NX Designer, reporting to the Vice President, Fluid Systems, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

As the most senior design authority within Fluid Systems, this role sets the CAD and drafting standard for the organization, owns the hardest geometry and largest assemblies, and mentors designers and engineers across Propulsion,Thermal and Life Support Systems.

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

Responsibilities:
Own design and drawings for thermal and life support hardware from conceptual phase through product release and manufacture

Own the BOM, mass tracking, and hardware release for assigned subsystems

Define and manage interfaces between vehicle subsystems and lead design trades from the CAD side Execute complex geometrical modeling for additively manufactured hardware

Drive detailed design and drawing release for ECLSS subassemblies, tubing runs, component assemblies, MLI (multi-layer insulation), and soft goods

Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for engineering design, drafting, and modeling standards using NX and Teamcenter — establishing and enforcing best practices, templates, and configuration management discipline across Fluid Systems Mentor and develop designers and engineers, and train the broader team to self-serve on routine CAD tasks

Partner directly with manufacturing, technicians, and suppliers to ensure designs are producible, inspectable, and released on schedule

Minimum Qualifications:

8+ years of relevant CAD/Design experience

Experience working in aerospace design

Expert-level experience designing and managing large CAD assemblies and associated drawings

Demonstrated development and configuration management experience on technically complex hardware products

Knowledge of mechanical engineering design and manufacturing

Experience with ASME Y14.100, Y14.5, Y14.41

Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter Preferred

Skills & Experience:

Experience with tube routing

Experience with complex/organic geometry for additively manufactured parts including propulsion components

Experience with metallics, plastics, and soft goods such as MLI and foam assemblies

High level of expertise in GD&TExperience establishing CAD/drafting standards and mentoring designers on a growing team

Self-motivated with strong multi-tasking, organizational, communication, and…