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Vast · 2 days ago

Senior Manager, Propulsion Design

Long Beach, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$159K/yr - $206K/yr

8+ years exp

Vast is a company focused on building artificial gravity space stations for long-term habitation in space. They are seeking a Senior Manager of Propulsion Analysis to lead a multidisciplinary analysis team, focusing on structural, fluid, and thermal modeling to inform design decisions and certification for their space station projects.

Defense & Space

Culture & Values

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Manage and lead a team of up to 6 analysts, including hiring, mentoring, and technical development

Set standards for analysis methods, documentation, and best practices in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Expand company capabilities in analysis by validating and establishing methods and practices across structural, fluid, and thermal domains

Create and maintain FEA models of propulsion components to support design and certification

Define and review critical loads and load cases in collaboration with GNC, fluids analysis, dynamics/loads engineers and design teams

Mentor design and analysis engineers in analysis methods and validation via testing to review/approve component drawings with feedback

Partner with test engineering to plan and execute structural and dynamic tests, and perform associated analyses

Oversee multiphase propellant feed system and microgravity fluid behavior modeling, including vaporization, condensation, propellant acquisition and slosh dynamics

Guide high-pressure gas system analysis, transient flow behavior (e.g., water hammer, adiabatic compression), and thruster plume impingement studies

Support development and validation of propulsion fluid systems using best practices

Integrate simulation results with ground and flight test data to validate models and refine designs

Partner closely with design, manufacturing, propulsion, thermal, and GN&C teams to ensure analysis informs critical decisions

Present technical findings at design reviews and contribute to NASA certification processes

Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions when issues arise

Qualification

Structural AnalysisFEA ModelingThermo Fluid AnalysisMultiphase Fluid DynamicsMechanical DesignAerospace Design ExperienceTeam LeadershipTransient Fluid DynamicsPropellant ManagementCommunication Skills

Required

B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering field

8+ years of relevant aerospace design and analysis experience

2+ years of experience overseeing / managing a technical engineering or analysis team

Strong expertise in structural analysis, including FEA modeling, stress analysis, and load case development

Experience with thermo fluid analysis tools (CFD, 1-D system modeling, etc.)

Knowledge of mechanical design, manufacturing processes, and design-for-manufacturability principles

Preferred

M.S. or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related Engineering

Experience in human spaceflight hardware design and analysis

Expertise in multiphase fluid dynamics, propellant management, and slosh modeling under low-gravity conditions

Experience with thermo-mechanical fatigue, fracture analysis, and spectrum loading fatigue analysis

Hands-on experience with high-pressure gas systems, transient fluid dynamics and heat exchangers

5+ years of experience with liquid or gas rocket engine combustion devices, including RCS design

Track record of leading multidisciplinary teams linking analysis predictions with test and qualification data to accelerate hardware development and certification

Benefits

100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents

Flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff

Paid parental leave

Short and long-term disability insurance

Life insurance

Access to a 401(k) retirement plan

One Medical membership

ClassPass credits

Personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health

Other discounts and perks

Exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge

Lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees

Company

Vast

Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure 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.

Founded in 2021

Long Beach, California, US

501-1000 employees