Haven Certification Engineer

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

Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo:
Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon.

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 capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Haven Certification Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager of Haven Certification, to support certification planning and execution for Haven and ensure certification is verified through test, analysis, demonstration, and inspection.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. This is a unique opportunity to develop and execute the V&V and Certification strategies for the first-ever fully private human-rated spacecraft.

Responsibilities/Engineer I:
Track completion of certification requirements for Haven systems

Maintain certification artifact databases and verification status

Coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure certification artifacts are properly addressed

Support development of certification documentation and compliance matrices

Assist in identifying certification risks and issues

Participate in verification activities including test and analysis reviews

Support certification milestone preparation

Responsibilities/Engineer II:
Track certification artifacts and drive closure across engineering teams

Develop verification and validation plans for certification artifacts

Coordinate certification activities across systems engineering, test, and mission operations

Participate in vehicle level testing and demonstrations

Identify certification risks and issues early and develop mitigation strategies

Prepare certification evidence packages and documentation

Minimum Qualifications /Engineer I:

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems, or related engineering discipline2+ years of hands-on engineering experience

Minimum Qualifications /Engineer II:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering3–5 years of hands-on engineering experience

Preferred Skills & Experience/Engineer I:

Experience with NASA standards or commercial human spaceflight programs

Experience supporting certification reviews and flight readiness processes

Familiarity with requirements or database management tools

Internship or project experience with spacecraft systems

Preferred Skills & Experience/Engineer II:

Experience with NASA standards or commercial human spaceflight programs

Experience supporting certification reviews and flight readiness processes

Experience as a Responsible Engineer completing verification on flight hardware

Pay Range:
California $86,100—$159,467 USDWe calibrate level and compensation to the…