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 aStaff Electric Propulsion Engineer to own EP system development and integration for a new constellation-ready spacecraft bus a product line designed to scale to hundreds of spacecraft per year.
This will be a full-timeexempt position located in ourLong Beachlocation.
About the role:
Youll own the electric propulsion system for a constellation spacecraft bus from thruster selection and qualification through flight integration and on-orbit performance. The EP system handles orbit raising stationkeeping and end-of-life deorbit for every satellite in the constellation. Youll work alongside a small experienced propulsion team thats already making architecture decisions this role adds depth and bandwidth as the program moves from trades into hardware.
The real challenge is production. This isnt a one-off flight system youre building an EP subsystem that scales to hundreds of spacecraft per year. Every design decision needs to balance performance against manufacturability testability and cost at rate. Youll also be the EP systems interface to the rest of the bus coordinating power draw with the power lead thermal dissipation with the thermal lead and disturbance torques with GNC.
Responsibilities:
Own EP thruster integration acceptance testing and qualification for the spacecraft bus
Own power processing unit (PPU) requirements and development oversight coordinate with the electronics lead on any in-house builds or manage vendor PPU procurement and acceptance
Design the propellant feed system tanks valves pressure regulation fill/drain provisions and flow control
Perform thruster performance characterization thrust Isp efficiency mapping across the operating envelope
Develop thruster lifetime models and predict degradation for mission-duration operation
Own EP system integration with the spacecraft bus mechanical mounting power interfaces thermal interfaces and propellant routing
Define EP power profiles and coordinate with the power lead to ensure the bus can support thruster operation across all modes
Coordinate with thermal on thruster and PPU heat rejection radiator sizing thermal coatings duty cycle constraints
Coordinate with GNC on thrust vector disturbance torques and momentum impact during EP maneuvers
Support constellation-scale EP operations fleet maneuver planning propellant management across the manifest
Plan and execute EP subsystem environmental testing vibration thermal vacuum EMI/EMC
Design for production the EP system must be assembled tested and integrated at rate as the program scales to hundreds of spacecraft per year
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering Physics or a related technical discipline
5 years of electric propulsion development or integration experience
Hall-effect thruster or ion engine experience performance testing plume characterization lifetime assessment
Propellant feed system design experience tanks valves flow control for EP systems
PPU integration experience power conditioning thruster control electronics power interface definition
EP system-level integration on a flight program mechanical electrical thermal and propellant interfaces
Understanding of EP mission design low-thrust trajectory optimization orbit-raising strategies stationkeeping budgets
Experience with EP environmental qualification vibe TVAC and EMI testing of propulsion hardware
Comfortable working across subsystem boundaries power thermal GNC and structures all intersect with propulsion
Preferred Skills & Experience:
Able to obtain a security clearance
Experience with high-power EP systems (5kW class thrusters)
Multi-satellite EP system experience scaling a propulsion design across a constellation build
Thruster procurement and vendor management experience
EP plume modeling and spacecraft interaction analysis (sputtering contamination charge exchange)
Experience with xenon or krypton propellant systems
Design-for-manufacturing experience optimizing EP assemblies for producibility at rate
On-orbit EP operations experience commissioning performance trending anomaly investigation
Pay Range: California
$137760 - $230472 USD
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
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: 100% 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 Vasts ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.
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.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
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 unlock...
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 aStaff Electric Propulsion Engineer to own EP system development and integration for a new constellation-ready spacecraft bus a product line designed to scale to hundreds of spacecraft per year.
This will be a full-timeexempt position located in ourLong Beachlocation.
About the role:
Youll own the electric propulsion system for a constellation spacecraft bus from thruster selection and qualification through flight integration and on-orbit performance. The EP system handles orbit raising stationkeeping and end-of-life deorbit for every satellite in the constellation. Youll work alongside a small experienced propulsion team thats already making architecture decisions this role adds depth and bandwidth as the program moves from trades into hardware.
The real challenge is production. This isnt a one-off flight system youre building an EP subsystem that scales to hundreds of spacecraft per year. Every design decision needs to balance performance against manufacturability testability and cost at rate. Youll also be the EP systems interface to the rest of the bus coordinating power draw with the power lead thermal dissipation with the thermal lead and disturbance torques with GNC.
Responsibilities:
Own EP thruster integration acceptance testing and qualification for the spacecraft bus
Own power processing unit (PPU) requirements and development oversight coordinate with the electronics lead on any in-house builds or manage vendor PPU procurement and acceptance
Design the propellant feed system tanks valves pressure regulation fill/drain provisions and flow control
Perform thruster performance characterization thrust Isp efficiency mapping across the operating envelope
Develop thruster lifetime models and predict degradation for mission-duration operation
Own EP system integration with the spacecraft bus mechanical mounting power interfaces thermal interfaces and propellant routing
Define EP power profiles and coordinate with the power lead to ensure the bus can support thruster operation across all modes
Coordinate with thermal on thruster and PPU heat rejection radiator sizing thermal coatings duty cycle constraints
Coordinate with GNC on thrust vector disturbance torques and momentum impact during EP maneuvers
Support constellation-scale EP operations fleet maneuver planning propellant management across the manifest
Plan and execute EP subsystem environmental testing vibration thermal vacuum EMI/EMC
Design for production the EP system must be assembled tested and integrated at rate as the program scales to hundreds of spacecraft per year
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering Physics or a related technical discipline
5 years of electric propulsion development or integration experience
Hall-effect thruster or ion engine experience performance testing plume characterization lifetime assessment
Propellant feed system design experience tanks valves flow control for EP systems
PPU integration experience power conditioning thruster control electronics power interface definition
EP system-level integration on a flight program mechanical electrical thermal and propellant interfaces
Understanding of EP mission design low-thrust trajectory optimization orbit-raising strategies stationkeeping budgets
Experience with EP environmental qualification vibe TVAC and EMI testing of propulsion hardware
Comfortable working across subsystem boundaries power thermal GNC and structures all intersect with propulsion
Preferred Skills & Experience:
Able to obtain a security clearance
Experience with high-power EP systems (5kW class thrusters)
Multi-satellite EP system experience scaling a propulsion design across a constellation build
Thruster procurement and vendor management experience
EP plume modeling and spacecraft interaction analysis (sputtering contamination charge exchange)
Experience with xenon or krypton propellant systems
Design-for-manufacturing experience optimizing EP assemblies for producibility at rate
On-orbit EP operations experience commissioning performance trending anomaly investigation
Pay Range: California
$137760 - $230472 USD
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
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: 100% 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 Vasts ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.
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.
Job Location:
Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
Vacancies:
