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Vast · 6 hours ago

Manager, Thermal Control Systems

Long Beach, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$136K/yr - $176K/yr

5+ years exp

Vast is a company dedicated to contributing to a future where billions of people thrive in space by building artificial gravity space stations. They are seeking a Manager for Thermal Control Systems to lead the development of thermal and fluid systems essential for long-term human habitation in space, guiding a team of mechanical engineers while also contributing to system architecture and design.

Defense & Space

Culture & Values

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers responsible for thermal and fluid system hardware

Set technical direction, prioritize development efforts, and foster a culture of ownership and continuous improvement

Provide guidance on design decisions, analyses, and test plans, ensuring high-quality engineering outputs

Manage workloads, support professional development, and ensure on-time execution of deliverables

Own the architecture and performance of thermal control system hardware, including tubing, trays, and fluid loops

Lead hardware through its full lifecycle—from design trades through manufacturing, qualification, launch prep, and on-orbit operation

Drive rapid prototyping and iterative testing to mature designs in a fast-paced environment

Oversee systems engineering tasks, including analyses, requirements, and cross-team integration (i.e. Avionics, Software, Mission Operations, etc.)

Lead internal and external design reviews and ensure hardware meets human-rated reliability and safety requirements

Ensure manufacturable, production-ready designs and collaborate closely with technicians, manufacturing engineers, and integration teams

Qualification

Thermal control systemsFluid systemsMechanical engineeringNX proficiencyStructural analysisLeadership experienceRoot-cause analysisFirst-principles engineeringMachining familiarityWelding familiarityBrazing familiarityTube bending familiarityProblem-solving skillsCommunication skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline

Experience working with fluid systems

5+ years of hands-on hardware experience (fabrication, assembly, and/or testing)

1+ year leading or mentoring engineers

Preferred

Leadership experience in a fast-paced hardware development environment

Ownership of mechanical or fluid systems across multiple development phases

Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills

First-principles engineering and ability to guide team-level trade studies

Experience with rotating machinery

Proficiency in NX, GD&T, and tolerance analysis

Structural analysis experience (hand calcs, FEMAP, ANSYS)

Familiarity with machining, welding, brazing, and tube bending

Excellent communication and leadership skills in a mission-driven environment

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

El Segundo, California, USA

501-1000 employees