Director, Fluid Systems Test

<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 seeking an experienced and highly driven <strong>Director, Fluid Systems Test</strong>, reporting to the <strong>Vice President of Fluid Systems</strong>, to lead the strategy, execution, and scaling of fluids test operations supporting the development of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations and supporting spacecraft systems.</p>
<p>The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in fluid systems testing, infrastructure development, high-risk operations, and organizational leadership within fast-paced aerospace or complex hardware development environments.</p>
<p>This will be a full-time, <strong>exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Long Beach, California</strong> location.</p>
<h2><strong>Responsibilities</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Lead the Fluids Test organization responsible for component, subsystem, and integrated system development and qualification testing across propulsion, thermal control systems, ECLSS, pressurized systems, and spacecraft fluid distribution hardware</li>
<li>Develop and execute the long-term fluids test strategy supporting Haven-1 and future spacecraft programs from early development through qualification, supporting integration and flight readiness</li>
<li>Build, mentor, and scale a multidisciplinary organization of test engineers, technicians, operations specialists, controls engineers, and infrastructure teams</li>
<li>Oversee the design, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of fluids test stands, pressure systems, cryogenic systems, vacuum systems, and supporting ground infrastructure</li>
<li>Define and drive integrated test campaigns validating system performance, reliability, operational readiness, and human-rated safety requirements</li>
<li>Partner closely with Propulsion, Thermal, ECLSS, Structures, Avionics, GNC, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, and Mission Operations teams to align test objectives, verification strategies, and development schedules</li>
<li>Establish rigorous engineering and operational processes for instrumentation, controls integration, data acquisition, calibration, configuration management, and test reporting</li>
<li>Lead test readiness reviews, operational procedure development, hazard analyses, and safety reviews for high-risk fluid, cryogenic, and pressurized system operations</li>
<li>Drive root cause investigations, anomaly resolution, corrective actions, and failure analysis efforts arising from integrated test campaigns and system performance issues</li>
<li>Develop organizational metrics, operational visibility tools, and infrastructure planning strategies to improve test throughput, utilization, reliability, and schedule predictability</li>
<li>Manage facility utilization, capital equipment planning, operational budgets, staffing forecasts, and long-range infrastructure investments</li>
<li>Support acceptance testing, spacecraft integration activities, launch site operations, and mission readiness testing as programs progress toward flight operations</li>
<li>Help establish the operational philosophy, safety standards, and verification methodologies for future human-rated spacecraft fluid systems and integrated test operations</li>
<li>Foster a culture of technical excellence, urgency, accountability, ownership, collaboration, and safety-first execution across the organization</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Minimum Qualifications</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline</li>
<li>10+ years of experience in aerospace, military and defense, launch vehicle, spacecraft, propulsion, or complex fluid systems testing environments</li>
<li>5+ years of technical leadership or people management experience leading engineering or test organizations</li>
<li>Experience developing, operating, or scaling fluid, propulsion, thermal, cryogenic, pneumatic, or pressurized system test infrastructure</li>
<li>Strong understanding of instrumentation systems, data acquisition (DAQ), controls integration, automation systems, and test operations</li>
<li>Experience leading high-risk operations involving hazardous fluids, cryogenic systems, pressure systems, or oxygen-compatible systems</li>
<li>Demonstrated success leading integrated test campaigns under aggressive hardware development schedules</li>
<li>Experience partnering cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, systems engineering, quality, and operations organizations</li>
<li>Strong analytical, operational decision-making, root cause investigation, and troubleshooting skills</li>
<li>Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to present technical and programmatic updates to executive leadership</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Experience supporting human-rated spacecraft, launch vehicles, or advanced aerospace development programs</li>
<li>Familiarity with NASA, aerospace, military, or commercial spaceflight fluid systems testing standards and operational practices</li>
<li>Experience with propulsion hot-fire testing, thermal vacuum testing, integrated environmental testing, or spacecraft acceptance testing</li>
<li>Knowledge of cryogenic systems, oxygen systems, hypergolic fluid handling, pressurized systems, or life support fluid systems</li>
<li>Experience scaling test infrastructure and operations in fast-paced hardware development environments</li>
<li>Background supporting launch campaigns, mission operations, vehicle integration, or flight certification activities</li>
<li>Experience building large-scale engineering or operations organizations supporting critical test infrastructure</li>
<li>Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline</li>
<li>Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed during critical test campaigns and program milestones</li>
<li>Ability to travel occasionally in support of suppliers, test sites, integration activities, and launch operations</li>
</ul>
<p> </p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$203,360</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$288,672 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>