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 Senior Test Engineer to support our Lunar Program, reporting to the Senior Vice President, Lunar Programs. As the first dedicated test hire on the program, you will be a generalist by design - standing up test capability across propulsion and fluids, structures and mechanisms, thermal and vacuum, avionics and power, and integrated system-level checkout. You will define how the Lunar program tests hardware: writing the procedures, building the stands and benches, sitting on console for hazardous operations, and setting the standards that the test team will inherit as the program scales.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities

Lead testing for Vast’s lunar systems, including the Vast Power Station (solar generation, energy storage, and power distribution), the Haven-derived lunar airlock (dust mitigation and pressure vessel reliability), and the multi-module lunar habitat (life support, thermal control, and avionics)
Plan, lead, and execute test campaigns across multiple subsystems: fluids and propulsion, structures and mechanisms, thermal/vacuum, avionics and power, and integrated system-level testing
Serve as Test Conductor and Test Director on console for hazardous operations, including work with pressurized structures and energetic or stored-energy systems
Author and maintain test plans, procedures, sequences, and configuration files; drive development, qualification, and acceptance test campaigns to completion
Stand up test capability from scratch - define test architecture, specify and procure stands, fixtures, DAQ, and instrumentation, and build out the infrastructure required for lunar hardware qualification
Own Test Readiness Reviews and post-test data reviews, presenting results and corrective actions to program and engineering leadership
Design and modify fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems on test stands and benches; troubleshoot fluid, mechanical, electrical, and software issues across the test environment
Work side by side with technicians during fabrication of test hardware and integration of test articles
Partner with Responsible Engineers across subsystems to translate requirements into verification approaches, and close verification evidence back against those requirements
Establish test safety practices, hazard analyses, and continuous improvements that raise safety and site productivity as the program grows
Help scope and grow the Lunar test organization, mentoring engineers and technicians as additional hires come on

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
4+ years of experience in the operation, design, and development of test systems, fluid systems, or hardware testing