Staff Propulsion/Fluids Systems Analyst, Haven

Long Beach, California, United States

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026. 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 looking for a Staff Propulsion/Fluids Systems Analyst, reporting to the Director of Haven Propulsion, to support the development of the propulsion, life support, and thermal control systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

As a propulsion and fluids modeling expert, you will be responsible for:

  • Multiphase propellant feed system analysis
  • Modeling of multiphase fluids in microgravity conditions for propellant acquisition analyses
  • High-pressure gas system design including static and dynamic pressure budgeting
  • Transient flow analysis including water hammer and adiabatic compression
  • Slosh dynamics analysis for support of Guidance, Navigation, and Control model development
  • Thruster plume impingement modeling

You will work closely with propulsion, thermal, and structural engineering teams to validate and optimize propellant management, thermal systems, and high-performance fluid systems for spaceflight applications.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop robust CFD and non-CFD fluid models of a space station propulsion system with a primary focus on multiphase, non-cryogenic propellants, capturing complex behavior such as dynamic phase transitions, supercritical or subcritical fluid feed system operation modes, and transient flow conditions including water hammer.
  • Analyze multiphase fluid flow behavior under microgravity conditions, including propellant slosh modeling and propellant management device modeling
  • Integrate and validate simulation outcomes with experimental data, both from flight and ground testing, in collaboration with a cross-disciplinary team to refine overall propulsion system designs.
  • Contribute to ancillary work in electric propulsion using conventional noble gas propellants and unconventional molecular propellants.
  • Present technical analysis for internal design reviews and NASA certification

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in fluid dynamics, propulsion analysis, or heat transfer modeling.
  • Expertise in thermo-hydraulic analysis tools (SINDA/FLUINT, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent).
  • Proficiency with CFD software (Star-CCM+, Fluent, or equivalent).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related Engineering.
  • Expertise in multiphase propellant handling and slosh modeling.
  • Strong background in low-gravity fluid behavior and propellant management systems.
  • Experience with nitrous oxide or other high vapor pressure, non-cryogenic propellants
  • Knowledge of pressurized gas management and transient fluid behavior.
  • Experience with heat exchanger design and high-pressure gas systems.
  • Successful completion of certification processes for spaceflight hardware.

Salary Range: California

$160,000 - $200,000 USD

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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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 STATUS

The 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.
 

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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.

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