Start searching
Back to Jobs
Recently postedEngineering

Senior Mechanical Engineering Analyst

VastLong Beach🇺🇸United States

Why this role stands out

This hybrid role offers an exceptional opportunity to architect cutting-edge structural dynamics for next-generation space stations, directly impacting human space exploration and a burgeoning space economy. If you are a driven structural engineer with expertise in finite element analysis and a passion for groundbreaking innovation, you will thrive in this dynamic environment, contributing to a globally recognized leader in space infrastructure.

Quick overview

Salary$137.8k/yr
SeniorityMid Senior
Work modeHybrid
LocationLong Beach, United States
ANSYSAbaqusFEA

Job description

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and capital-efficient approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to support a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and supporting a growing space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to design, build, and operate its own spacecraft in orbit. Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo: Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon.
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 capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineering Analyst reporting to the Senior Manager, Dynamics and Loads 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.

The Structural Dynamics team is responsible for low and high-frequency load & environment predictions for all Vast space stations during ground transportation, ascent, and on-orbit operations. This role will be responsible for building, maintaining, and managing the vehicle systems-level Finite Element Model of our Haven space station program, and oversee future FEA engineering needs across Vast’s future product portfolio.

Responsibilities:

  • Create and maintain FEA models of vehicle level systems and space station program
  • Perform structural dynamics analysis that informs structural sizing for strength, mass, and cost optimization
  • Collaborate closely with design engineers in dynamics and static analysis methods
  • Communicate with design organization to ensure vehicle prediction models match design intent
  • Expand company capability in analysis through validating and establishing methods and practices
  • Work with hardware owners and test engineering to plan and execute vibration tests, as well as perform supporting analyses

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent)
  • Proficiency in commercial FEA software (ie Femap/Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys )
  • Strong grasp of structural mechanic fundamentals used for dynamic response prediction (single degree of freedom systems, damping, beam bending)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

  • Spacecraft and/or Payload background with experience through the entire system lifecycle from concept, design, production, integration, test, launch, to operation support
  • Demonstrated expertise with Nastran
  • Automation and Workflow Generation for FEA softwares
  • Working understanding of a design load cycle and how it relates to analysis and test
  • Knowledge of spacecraft analysis and launch load environments and industry standard documents (NASA-STD-5001, SMC-S-016, etc.)
  • Establishment of of company internal specifications or best practices
Pay Range: California
$137,760—$230,472 USD

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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Haystack's AI agent can fill in and submit this application for you. How AI auto apply works

Similar jobs

ApplyOr apply on Vast's site