Vast · 3 hours ago
Staff Thermal Engineer
Vast is focused on contributing to a future where people can thrive in space, developing artificial gravity space stations. The Staff Thermal Engineer will support the design and build of these systems, working independently and collaboratively on thermal engineering tasks.
Defense & Space
Responsibilities
Develop thermal systems requirements
Perform thermal analysis to develop and optimize thermal control designs and provide solutions to a wide range of difficult problems
Coordinate and partner with other engineering disciplines
Document thermal analyses and designs
Review and approve drawings for thermal design hardware content
Report results of analyses and design specifics to internal management and external customers
Work with test engineering to plan and execute subsystem level thermal tests, especially thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC) testing, as well as perform associated analyses
Provide feedback regarding impacts of possible cost and/ or schedule changes
Work autonomously and be a subject matter expert to help guide junior engineers and cross-functional team members
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related Engineering discipline with a minimum of 10+ years of related professional work experience, or a Master's degree in a related engineering discipline and 5+ years of experience
Knowledge and understanding of the application of technical principles, theories, and concepts for developing active thermal control systems
Expert with thermal analysis tool: Thermal Desktop
Extensive experience with TVAC testing
Preferred
Design, analysis and integration experience of spacecraft thermal systems
Experience using other thermal analysis tools (FloCAD, AnsysNSYS Mechanical, SINDA/G, SINDA/FLUINT, TSS)
Experience using fluid analysis tools like AnsysNSYS Fluent, FloEFD, StarCCM+
Experience using aerospace standard design tools (NX, CATIA, CREO)
Experience with space vehicle thermal design and/or integration
Experience with active and passive thermal control systems and technologies (pumped fluid loops, heat pipes, etc.) i.e. conduction, radiation, and convection heat transfer methods
Spacecraft and/or Payload background with experience through the entire system lifecycle from concept, design, production, integration, test, launch, to operation support
Experience working on thermal design and troubleshooting efforts
Ability to develop novel concepts for active thermal control systems for space habitats
Detail-oriented and have excellent verbal and written communications skills, leadership skills, and organization skills
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.
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageRecent News
2025-10-17
2025-09-24
The Orlando Sentinel
2025-09-14
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