Senior Studio Engineer
$129k - $185k USD
At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.
Vast is looking for a Senior Studio Engineer, reporting to the Manager of Industrial Design, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space.
As a Studio Engineer on the Industrial Design team, you will have a unique opportunity to build out the environment that humans in our space station will regularly interact with: displays and controls, cabins, lighting, mobility aids, and more. You will partner with cross-functional teams like structures, avionics, ECLSS, integration, and manufacturing to ensure high-quality human habitation systems are designed and built.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Translate industrial design concepts into feasible, manufacturable CAD models using NX and related tools.
- Partner closely with industrial designers, mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, and program managers to align design intent with engineering feasibility and timelines.
- Create and iterate designs: CAD, physical mockups, build fabrication, and testing.
- Research and propose appropriate materials, finishes, and manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, composite layup, metal forming, additive manufacturing).
- Create and evaluate physical prototypes, mockups, and proof-of-concept models to validate design and engineering solutions.
- Work with external vendors and prototype suppliers to ensure accurate execution of design intent and adherence to specifications.
- Participate in design reviews and validation testing to ensure parts meet performance and reliability targets.
- Track and align studio engineering deliverables with program schedules, key design gates, and development milestones.
- Support rapid iteration cycles between design and engineering to resolve feasibility, packaging, and functional challenges.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years’ experience with CAD packages such as NX
- 5+ years’ experience collaborating with design professions
- Excellent communication skills; ability to synthesize inputs across teams (industrial design, human factors, structural, safety, manufacturing).
- Comfort working in ambiguity; ability to move fast, take ownership, and deliver under tight schedule constraints.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Background in aerospace, automotive or consumer product environments.
- Proficiency in Siemens NX for 3D modeling and surfacing.
- Experience translating and managing data across multiple CAD platforms (e.g., NX, Rhino and SolidWorks).
- Demonstrated ability to work closely with Industrial Design teams to balance aesthetic intent with engineering feasibility.
- Hands-on experience with physical prototyping, mockups, and model validation.
- Strong understanding of material properties, finishes, and behaviors—including metals, plastics, and composites.
- Familiarity with mechanical design principles, structural testing, and design validation methods.
- Knowledge of standard forming and fabrication processes, such as injection molding, sheet metal forming, casting, machining, and additive manufacturing.
- Ability to optimize components for manufacturability, cost, and mass efficiency.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
- Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
- Specific certifications, as appropriate
Pay Range: California
$129,000—$185,000 USD
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: 100% 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.