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.
- 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
- 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 under aggressive hardware development schedules
- Experience partnering cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, systems engineering, quality, and operations organizations
- Strong analytical, operational decision-making, root cause investigation, and troubleshooting skills
- Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to present technical and programmatic updates to executive leadership
- Experience supporting human-rated spacecraft, launch vehicles, or advanced aerospace development programs
- Familiarity with NASA, aerospace, military, or commercial spaceflight fluid systems testing standards and operational practices
- Experience with propulsion hot-fire testing, thermal vacuum testing, integrated environmental testing, or spacecraft acceptance testing
- Knowledge of cryogenic systems, oxygen systems, hypergolic fluid handling, pressurized systems, or life support fluid systems
- Experience scaling test infrastructure and operations in fast-paced hardware development environments
- Background supporting launch campaigns, mission operations, vehicle integration, or flight certification activities
- Experience building large-scale engineering or operations organizations supporting critical test infrastructure
- Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed during critical test campaigns and program milestones
- Ability to travel occasionally in support of suppliers, test sites, integration activities, and launch operations