Manager, Thermal Control Systems

Long Beach, California, United States

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 seeking a Manager, Thermal Control Systems reporting to the Director, Thermal Environmental and Life Support Systems 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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 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

Preferred Skills & Experience

  • 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

Additional Requirements

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

Pay Range: 

  • Manager, Thermal Control Systems: $154980 - $219996

Pay Range: California

$154,980 - $219,996 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.


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.

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.

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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 be considered for deemed export licensing. To assist Vast in assessing its export compliance obligations in relation to your application, please identify which ITAR/EAR status applies to you:

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