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 Demo’s 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 world’s 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 looking for a Director, Fluid System Analysis , reporting to the Vice President of Fluid Systems, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Key Responsibilities

Manage and lead a team of Propulsion and Thermal 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

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Director, Fluid Systems Analysis