Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Control Systems (New Grad)

Responsibilities

• Design and develop thermal control system components for our artificial-gravity space station, such as heat exchangers, cold plates, heaters, and heat pipes, with guidance from senior engineers.
• Perform thermal and fluid analyses to size components and check that designs meet requirements.
• Contribute to design trades and support systems engineering tasks such as tracking requirements and interfaces.
• Help plan and run development tests, collect and interpret data, and use the results to improve designs and manufacturing processes.
• Work with avionics, software, and mission operations teams to make sure your components integrate with the rest of the station.
• Work hands-on with technicians and suppliers to build, test, and troubleshoot hardware.
• Design with manufacturability and reliability in mind.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, or civil engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Coursework, project, or internship experience designing and developing mechanical components or systems.
• Familiarity with 3D CAD and FEA software through coursework, student project teams, or internships.
• Understanding of GD&T fundamentals (ASME Y14.5).

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Participation in hands-on engineering teams such as Formula SAE, rocketry, CubeSat, or robotics.
• A portfolio or examples of designs you've taken from concept through build or test.
• Coursework, project, or internship experience designing structures or components for a high-performance vehicle or spacecraft.
• Familiarity with CAD tools, ideally NX, and exposure to PLM tools such as Teamcenter.
• Exposure to thermal or structural analysis using Ansys, Femap/Nastran, Abaqus, or similar tools.
• Working knowledge of GD&T fundamentals (ASME Y14.5).
• A curious, hands-on approach to problem solving, including interest in troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Hands-on experience building or testing hardware, whether through internships, co-ops, machine shops, or student project teams.
• Awareness of aerospace design and environmental test standards such as SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001, or MIL-STD-810.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Pay Ranges

• Mechanical Engineer/ Level I: $86,100.00 - $122,220.00

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package.

Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.

We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, 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.

U.s. Export Control Compliance Status

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.