Senior Test Engineer, Lunar

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and capital-efficient approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to support a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and supporting a growing space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to design, build, and operate its own spacecraft in orbit. Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo: Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon.

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 capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Senior Test Engineer to support our Lunar Program, reporting to the Senior Vice President, Lunar Programs. As the first dedicated test hire on the program, you will be a generalist by design - standing up test capability across propulsion and fluids, structures and mechanisms, thermal and vacuum, avionics and power, and integrated system-level checkout. You will define how the Lunar program tests hardware: writing the procedures, building the stands and benches, sitting on console for hazardous operations, and setting the standards that the test team will inherit as the program scales.

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

Responsibilities:

• Lead testing for Vast’s lunar systems, including the Vast Power Station (solar generation, energy storage, and power distribution), the Haven-derived lunar airlock (dust mitigation and pressure vessel reliability), and the multi-module lunar habitat (life support, thermal control, and avionics)

• Plan, lead, and execute test campaigns across multiple subsystems: fluids and propulsion, structures and mechanisms, thermal/vacuum, avionics and power, and integrated system-level testing

• Serve as Test Conductor and Test Director on console for hazardous operations, including work with pressurized structures and energetic or stored-energy systems

• Author and maintain test plans, procedures, sequences, and configuration files; drive development, qualification, and acceptance test campaigns to completion

• Stand up test capability from scratch - define test architecture, specify and procure stands, fixtures, DAQ, and instrumentation, and build out the infrastructure required for lunar hardware qualification

• Own Test Readiness Reviews and post-test data reviews, presenting results and corrective actions to program and engineering leadership

• Design and modify fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems on test stands and benches; troubleshoot fluid, mechanical, electrical, and software issues across the test environment

• Work side by side with technicians during fabrication of test hardware and integration of test articles

• Partner with Responsible Engineers across subsystems to translate requirements into verification approaches, and close verification evidence back against those requirements

• Establish test safety practices, hazard analyses, and continuous improvements that raise safety and site productivity as the program grows

• Help scope and grow the Lunar test organization, mentoring engineers and technicians as additional hires come on

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

• 4+ years of experience in the operation, design, and development of test systems, fluid systems, or hardware testing

• Demonstrated ownership of large test campaigns from planning through execution and data review

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience across multiple test disciplines: fluids/propulsion, structural/mechanism, thermal/TVAC, and electrical/avionics

• Experience standing up new test capability, stands, or labs from the ground up in a resource-constrained environment

• Experience with fluids systems testing

• Experience testing hardware for spaceflight environments (random vibration, shock, thermal cycling, TVAC, burn-in), and familiarity with beyond-LEO or lunar surface environmental considerations

• Ability to read and interpret Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), schematics, and drawings

• Experience with coding languages (Python, MATLAB, Visual Basic) for test automation and data reduction

• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams and operate independently with limited direction, thriving in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to travel to test sites, including Mojave and supplier or outside test facilities, as required

Pay Range: California $137,760—$230,472 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

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: 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.

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.