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Vast · 1 day ago

Hardware Development Engineer

Long Beach, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$84K/yr - $142K/yr

2+ years exp

Vast is dedicated to advancing space exploration and is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the development of systems for artificial-gravity space stations. The role involves mechanical and systems engineering, focusing on the design and build of human-rated space habitats, ensuring that hardware meets mission requirements and safety standards.

Defense & Space

Culture & Values

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Support end-to-end design, development, and integration of in-flight equipment—from concept and requirements through analysis, selection, qualification, manufacturing readiness, and flight verification

Support packaging layouts for cargo equipment - help optimize equipment placement to meet volume, mass, accessibility, and center-of-gravity constraints

Contribute to requirements definition, participate in trade studies, and support decision-making with clear engineering rationale

Support qualification and acceptance testing for in-flight equipment. Help design test fixtures, and participate in testing activities (off-gassing, flammability, mechanical loads, EMI/EMC, environmental exposure)

Create detailed CAD models, engineering drawings, analysis reports, test plans, and concepts of operations; support hardware through manufacturing/procurement, test, integration, and verification

Participate in human-in-the-loop evaluations, mockups, packing studies and fit checks

Collaborate cross-functionally with teams (Flight Surgeons, Food Scientists, Thermal, ECLSS, Avionics)

Help ensure hardware, packaging, and stowage solutions meet mission requirements, human factors and safety standards

Qualification

Mechanical EngineeringCAD ToolsFEA ToolsSpaceflight HardwareEnvironmental TestingHigh-Reliability DomainsCommunication SkillsOrganizational SkillsTeam CollaborationProblem Solving

Required

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related engineering discipline

2+ years of mechanical design and analysis experience, including development of mechanical components, systems, or safety-critical equipment

2+ years of experience with CAD and FEA tools

Preferred

Experience with spaceflight hardware or safety equipment in regulated or high-reliability domains

Hands-on experience supporting environmental testing (structural, random vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC)

Exposure to aerospace, medical, or high-reliability packaging systems

Familiarity with flexible packaging, barrier materials, or food-grade polymers

Ability to participate in trade studies using first-principles reasoning

Experience collaborating on an engineering or project team

Ability to use data and analysis to support decision-making

Experience supporting hardware from concept through design, build, integration, and verification

Strong communication skills; ability to work effectively across teams (avionics, materials, human factors, structural, safety, procurement)

Comfort working in ambiguity; ability to move fast, take initiative, and deliver under tight schedule constraints

Strong organizational skills with good documentation practices, attention to detail, and the ability to track information accurately across projects

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