Manager, Thermal Control Systems

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 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 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, ski…