Manager, Loads & Dynamics

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 an experienced and motivated Manager, Loads & Dynamics, reporting to the Senior Director of Structures & Dynamics, to support the development, analysis, and verification of dynamic systems for next-generation human-rated space stations and spacecraft.The ideal candidate will bring solid technical expertise in spacecraft or launch vehicle dynamics, emerging leadership capabilities, and experience contributing to hardware development in fast-paced aerospace environments.

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

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a team of Dynamics engineers responsible for loads and environment predictions for spacecraft systems and hardware during transportation, ascent, docking, and on-orbit operations.
• Support execution across multiple phases of the product lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition, analysis, testing, and verification activities.
• Develop and maintain dynamic models, load cases, and environments to support spacecraft design and integration efforts.
• Derive internal loads and environmental requirements from system-level requirements, including quasi-static, random vibration, shock, and acoustic environments.
• Support product teams with vibration and shock requirement tailoring, test planning, and qualification verification activities.
• Build, maintain, and correlate finite element and dynamic prediction models using test data and flight-representative environments.
• Develop post-processing tools and methodologies for dynamic analyses and test data reduction.
• Assess vendor and supplier hardware capabilities against internally generated dynamic predictions and qualification requirements.
• Coordinate with Structures, Propulsion, Thermal, Avionics, GNC, Manufacturing, Test, and Systems Engineering teams to ensure integrated vehicle performance.
• Participate in technical reviews, design trades, and failure investigations related to dynamic environments and structural performance.
• Support spacecraft qualification activities, including vibration, modal, acoustic, and shock testing campaigns.
• Manage day-to-day team priorities, task assignments, and resource allocation aligned with program milestones.
• Provide technical guidance and risk identification support to ensure system performance, reliability, and compliance with verification requirements.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of accountability, technical rigor, and collaboration.
• Contribute to process improvements that enhance modeling accuracy, analysis efficiency, and product quality.
• Coordinate with external suppliers and test facilities to support development and qualification activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 6+ years of engineering experience in aerospace or other safety-critical industries.
• 1+ years of technical leadership, project leadership, or engineering management experience.
• Experience performing loads and environments prediction, structural dynamics, vibration, acoustic, shock, or coupled systems analyses for aerospace hardware or vehicle systems.
• Solid understanding of structural dynamics fundamentals, finite element methods, and systems integration principles.
• Experience supporting hardware development through multiple phases of the product lifecycle.
• Proficiency with industry-standard analysis tools such as FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent.
• Experience working in cross-functional engineering environments.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience leading small teams or projects focused on spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other flight-critical systems.
• Experience supporting aerospace programs through qualification, integration, and testing phases.
• Expertise in modal analysis, quasi-static loads, random vibration, sine vibration, shock, acoustic environments, or transient dynamic response analysis.
• Hands-on experience supporting vibration, acoustic, shock, or modal testing campaigns in laboratory or production environments.
• Experience developing and correlating finite element models using test data.
• Familiarity with coupled loads analysis (CLA), spacecraft dynamic environments, and launch vehicle integration requirements.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft launch load environments and industry standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000A, and MIL-STD-810.
• Ability to communicate structural dynamic concepts clearly across multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
• Experience working in fast-paced development and manufacturing environments.
• Passion for advancing the future of human spaceflight and space habitation.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSBase 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 STATUSThe 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 OPPORTUNITYVast 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.