Test Engineer II, Thermal Control Systems

Long Beach, California, United States

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026.

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 Test Engineer II, Thermal Control Systems, reporting to the Manager, Thermal Test Engineering, to support the development of systems 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.

At the heart of our artificial-gravity commercial space station program, the Thermal Test Engineering team takes full ownership of testing the hardware that keeps our Thermal Control Systems performing flawlessly. In this pivotal role, you’ll design and execute rigorous tests for components essential to the safety of future astronauts and passengers — and to the overall success of our mission. Your work will directly safeguard lives and enable humanity’s next giant leap in sustainable space habitation.

Responsibilities:

• Own the testing lifecycle for thermal systems and components critical to both near-term and long-term space habitat missions
• Lead diverse deliverables — from targeted case studies and analytical assessments to the design, construction, and instrumentation of complex test environments
• Solve complex challenges by performing in-depth root cause analyses and implementing effective, lasting corrective actions
• Ensure rigorous traceability by documenting every phase of design, planning, testing, and data post-processing, aligning with all subsystem requirements and program life cycle milestones

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• Strong foundation in fluid systems — including fluid mechanics and design, relevant test standards and best practices, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), test instrumentation and fittings, safety protocols, and troubleshooting methodologies
• Proven track record of leading complex projects from concept through successful completion
• Thrives in a dynamic environment, excelling in fast-paced, autonomous, and entrepreneurial settings
• Exceptional communicator, with excellent written and verbal skills for conveying complex technical concepts to both engineering and non-technical audiences

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 2+ years of proven success in rapidly designing, developing, and delivering highly reliable products
• 2+ years of hands-on expertise in building, testing, troubleshooting, and resolving fluid, mechanical, and electrical system issues
• Multidisciplinary capability — strong in a primary discipline (e.g., mechanical design, electronics, or controls) while possessing working knowledge across supporting fields, such as wiring, coding, CAD modeling, and machine drawing creation
• Experience with high pressure and LN2 test operations both as a test conductor and an operator.
• Understanding of common Data Analysis techniques sensor selection and signal diagnostics
• Knowledge of Data Acquisition hardware/design and harnessing design
• Familiarity with industry test standards (e.g., SMC-S-016, ASME B31.3) and the ability to apply them effectively in real-world test environments
• Understanding of the aerospace test lifecycle, including PDR, CDR, TRR, ATP, QTP, and other key program milestones
• Highly self-driven and organized, with outstanding written and verbal communication skills; able to prioritize, execute, and adapt under high-pressure conditions while continuously seeking improvement in all areas of work

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to…