Director, Fluid Systems Test

Responsibilities

• Lead the Fluids Test organization responsible for component, subsystem, and integrated system development and qualification testing across propulsion, thermal control systems, ECLSS, pressurized systems, and spacecraft fluid distribution hardware
• Develop and execute the long-term fluids test strategy supporting Haven-1 and future spacecraft programs from early development through qualification, supporting integration and flight readiness
• Build, mentor, and scale a multidisciplinary organization of test engineers, technicians, operations specialists, controls engineers, and infrastructure teams
• Oversee the design, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of fluids test stands, pressure systems, cryogenic systems, vacuum systems, and supporting ground infrastructure
• Define and drive integrated test campaigns validating system performance, reliability, operational readiness, and human-rated safety requirements
• Partner closely with Propulsion, Thermal, ECLSS, Structures, Avionics, GNC, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, and Mission Operations teams to align test objectives, verification strategies, and development schedules
• Establish rigorous engineering and operational processes for instrumentation, controls integration, data acquisition, calibration, configuration management, and test reporting
• Lead test readiness reviews, operational procedure development, hazard analyses, and safety reviews for high-risk fluid, cryogenic, and pressurized system operations
• Drive root cause investigations, anomaly resolution, corrective actions, and failure analysis efforts arising from integrated test campaigns and system performance issues
• Develop organizational metrics, operational visibility tools, and infrastructure planning strategies to improve test throughput, utilization, reliability, and schedule predictability
• Manage facility utilization, capital equipment planning, operational budgets, staffing forecasts, and long-range infrastructure investments
• Support acceptance testing, spacecraft integration activities, launch site operations, and mission readiness testing as programs progress toward flight operations
• Help establish the operational philosophy, safety standards, and verification methodologies for future human-rated spacecraft fluid systems and integrated test operations
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, urgency, accountability, ownership, collaboration, and safety-first execution across the organization

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace, military and defense, launch vehicle, spacecraft, propulsion, or complex fluid systems testing environments
• 5+ years of technical leadership or people management experience leading engineering or test organizations
• Experience developing, operating, or scaling fluid, propulsion, thermal, cryogenic, pneumatic, or pressurized system test infrastructure
• Strong understanding of instrumentation systems, data acquisition (DAQ), controls integration, automation systems, and test operations
• Experience leading high-risk operations involving hazardous fluids, cryogenic systems, pressure systems, or oxygen-compatible systems
• Demonstrated success leading integrated test campaigns

Additional Information

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 seeking an experienced and highly driven Director, Fluid Systems Test , reporting to the Vice President of Fluid Systems , to lead the strategy, execution, and scaling of fluids test operations supporting the development of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations and supporting spacecraft systems. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in fluid systems testing, infrastructure development, high-risk operations, and organizational leadership within fast-paced aerospace or complex hardware development environments. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach, California location.

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