Senior Studio Engineer

<div class="content-intro"><p>At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.</p></div><p>Vast is looking for a <strong>Senior Studio Engineer</strong>, reporting to the<strong> Manager of Industrial</strong> Design, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space.</p>
<p>As a Studio Engineer on the Industrial Design team, you will have a unique opportunity to build out the environment that humans in our space station will regularly interact with: displays and controls, cabins, lighting, mobility aids, and more. You will partner with cross-functional teams like structures, avionics, ECLSS, integration, and manufacturing to ensure high-quality human habitation systems are designed and built.</p>
<p>This will be a <strong>full-time</strong>, <strong>exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Long Beach</strong> location. </p>
<p><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Translate industrial design concepts into feasible, manufacturable CAD models using NX and related tools.</li>
<li>Partner closely with industrial designers, mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, and program managers to align design intent with engineering feasibility and timelines.</li>
<li>Create and iterate designs:  CAD, physical mockups, build fabrication, and testing.</li>
<li>Research and propose appropriate materials, finishes, and manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, composite layup, metal forming, additive manufacturing).</li>
<li>Create and evaluate physical prototypes, mockups, and proof-of-concept models to validate design and engineering solutions.</li>
<li>Work with external vendors and prototype suppliers to ensure accurate execution of design intent and adherence to specifications.</li>
<li>Participate in design reviews and validation testing to ensure parts meet performance and reliability targets.</li>
<li>Track and align studio engineering deliverables with program schedules, key design gates, and development milestones.</li>
<li>Support rapid iteration cycles between design and engineering to resolve feasibility, packaging, and functional challenges.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li> Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.</li>
<li>5+ years’ experience with CAD packages such as NX </li>
<li>5+ years’ experience collaborating with design professions</li>
<li>Excellent communication skills; ability to synthesize inputs across teams (industrial design, human factors, structural, safety, manufacturing).</li>
<li>Comfort working in ambiguity; ability to move fast, take ownership, and deliver under tight schedule constraints.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Preferred Skills & Experience:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Background in aerospace, automotive or consumer product environments.</li>
<li>Proficiency in Siemens NX for 3D modeling and surfacing.</li>
<li>Experience translating and managing data across multiple CAD platforms (e.g., NX, Rhino and SolidWorks).</li>
<li>Demonstrated ability to work closely with Industrial Design teams to balance aesthetic intent with engineering feasibility.</li>
<li>Hands-on experience with physical prototyping, mockups, and model validation.</li>
<li>Strong understanding of material properties, finishes, and behaviors—including metals, plastics, and composites.</li>
<li>Familiarity with mechanical design principles, structural testing, and design validation methods.</li>
<li>Knowledge of standard forming and fabrication processes, such as injection molding, sheet metal forming, casting, machining, and additive manufacturing.</li>
<li>Ability to optimize components for manufacturability, cost, and mass efficiency.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Ability to travel up to 20% of the time</li>
<li>Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones</li>
<li>Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted</li>
<li>Specific certifications, as appropriate<strong><br></strong></li>
</ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$129,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$185,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS<br></strong><br>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.</p>
<p style="line-height: 1;"><strong><br>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS<br><br></strong>The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.<br><br></p>
<p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong><br><br>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.</p></div>