Director, Fluid Systems Test

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 Demos 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 worlds 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.

Vast is seeking an experienced and highly driven Director Fluid Systems Test reporting to the Vice President of Fluid Systems 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.

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.

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

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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
• Build mentor and scale a multidisciplinary organization of test engineers technicians operations specialists controls engineers and infrastructure teams
• Oversee the design commissioning operation maintenance and continuous improvement of fluids test stands pressure systems cryogenic systems vacuum systems and supporting ground infrastructure
• Define and drive integrated test campaigns validating system performance reliability operational readiness and human-rated safety requirements
• 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
• Establish rigorous engineering and operational processes for instrumentation controls integration data acquisition calibration configuration management and test reporting
• Lead test readiness reviews operational procedure development hazard analyses and safety reviews for high-risk fluid cryogenic and pressurized system operations
• Drive root cause investigations anomaly resolution corrective actions and failure analysis efforts arising from integrated test campaigns and system performance issues
• Develop organizational metrics operational visibility tools and infrastructure planning strategies to improve test throughput utilization reliability and schedule predictability
• Manage facility utilization capital equipment planning operational budgets staffing forecasts and long-range infrastructure investments
• Support acceptance testing spacecraft integration activities launch site operations and mission readiness testing as programs progress toward flight operations
• Help establish the operational philosophy safety standards and verification methodologies for future human-rated spacecraft fluid systems and integrated test operations
• Foster a culture of technical excellence urgency accountability ownership collaboration and safety-first execution across the organization

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline
• 10 years of experience in aerospace military and defense launch vehicle spacecraft propulsion or complex fluid systems testing environments
• 5 years of technical leadership or people management experience leading engineering or test organizations
• Experience developing operating or scaling fluid propulsion thermal cryogenic pneumatic or pressurized system test infrastructure
• Strong understanding of instrumentation systems data acquisition (DAQ) controls integration automation systems and test operations
• Experience leading high-risk operations involving hazardous fluids cryogenic systems pressure systems or oxygen-compatible systems
• Demonstrated success leading integrated test campaigns under aggressive hardware development schedules
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with engineering manufacturing systems engineering quality and operations organizations
• Strong analytical operational decision-making root cause investigation and troubleshooting skills
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to present technical and programmatic updates to executive leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting human-rated spacecraft launch vehicles or advanced aerospace development programs
• Familiarity with NASA aerospace military or commercial spaceflight fluid systems testing standards and operational practices
• Experience with propulsion hot-fire testing thermal vacuum testing integrated environmental testing or spacecraft acceptance testing
• Knowledge of cryogenic systems oxygen systems hypergolic fluid handling pressurized systems or life support fluid systems
• Experience scaling test infrastructure and operations in fast-paced hardware development environments
• Background supporting launch campaigns mission operations vehicle integration or flight certification activities
• Experience building large-scale engineering or operations organizations supporting critical test infrastructure
• Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed during critical test campaigns and program milestones
• Ability to travel occasionally in support of suppliers test sites integration activities and launch operations

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY