Manager, Thermal Control Systems

Vast•Long Beach, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

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 2026. It is part of our stepping stone approach to continuous human presence in LEO. 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 seeking a Manager, Thermal Control Systems , reporting to the Senior Manager, Thermal Control Systems Hardware, to lead the development of the thermal and fluid systems that enable artificial gravity and long-term human habitation in space. In this role, you will guide a small team of mechanical engineers while also contributing directly to system architecture, design, and test. You will shape mission-critical hardware that must operate flawlessly in orbit and play a key role in advancing human-rated spaceflight. This full-time, exempt role is based in Long Beach, CA .

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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
Ability to travel up to 5%
Willingness to support occasional evening or weekend work during critical mission phases

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development 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.
Technical Ownership 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.

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
snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees