Manager, Thermal Control Systems

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