Mechanical Test Engineer II

Vast•Long Beach, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite , a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo. Headquartered in Long Beach, California , and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy. Vast is looking for a Mechanical Test Engineer II , reporting to the Manager, Test Engineering , to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering
Hands-on experience with fluid and/or chemical systems, including fittings, valves, pumps, and sensors, with a working understanding of pressure systems
Demonstrated ability to build, operate, and troubleshoot test rigs and hardware, from setup through data collection
Ability to create test documentation — procedures and work instructions — and maintain test traceability from planning through execution

Nice To Haves

CAD experience (e.g., Siemens NX) for reviewing designs and creating test/manufacturing documentation
Programming experience (e.g., Python) for test automation and data analysis/review tools
Prior hands-on experience building and managing test campaigns or hardware development from concept through execution
Familiarity with Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations (SMACs) and their application to human-spaceflight air-quality assessment, contaminant control, and test-data interpretation
Experience safely handling chemicals and executing chemical testing, including preparing solutions, operating relevant instrumentation, following SDS requirements, and managing chemical storage and waste disposal

Responsibilities

Design, build, and operate test rigs and GSE for ECLSS fluid, chemical, and electrical control systems, owning specific hardware test campaigns from setup through execution, data collection, and analysis
Perform hands-on assembly, integration, instrumentation, and testing of ECLSS hardware spanning fluid systems, chemical subsystems, and electrical controls (pumps, valves, sensors, tubing, controls hardware) at operating pressures generally lower than thermal control test systems, including troubleshooting components and supporting root cause investigations of anomalies
Develop and maintain test procedures, work instructions, and hardware-specific documentation, ensuring test traceability across planning, execution, and post-test data review
Support Haven-1 flight hardware by contributing to Acceptance and Qualification Test Campaigns and conduct development/R&D testing on ECLSS module and CLD-derived hardware to inform design maturity and manufacturability
Design test fixtures, wiring diagrams/schematics, and DAQ setups, and collaborate closely with ECLSS Manufacturing Engineers, Responsible Engineers (REs), Test Technicians, and the Controls and Automation team to ensure test setups reflect design intent and meet production-level testing needs
Contribute to the team's transition from R&D-level testing toward standardized, production-ready test processes, provide technical input during test readiness reviews, and support continuous improvement efforts that boost test efficiency and data quality