Director, Fluid Systems Analysis

Vast is looking for a Director, Fluid System Analysis, reporting to the Vice President of Fluid Systems, to support the development of the 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.

Key Responsibilities

Manage and lead a team of Propulsion and Thermal analysts, including hiring, mentoring, and technical development

Set standards for analysis methods, documentation, and best practices in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Expand company capabilities in analysis by validating and establishing methods and practices across structural, fluid, and thermal domains

Create and maintain FEA models of propulsion components to support design and certification

Define and review critical loads and load cases in collaboration with GNC, fluids analysis, dynamics/loads engineers and design teams

Mentor design and analysis engineers in analysis methods and validation via testing to review/approve component drawings with feedback

Partner with test engineering to plan and execute structural and dynamic tests, and perform associated analyses

Oversee multiphase propellant feed system and microgravity fluid behavior modeling, including vaporization, condensation, propellant acquisition and slosh dynamics

Guide high-pressure gas system analysis, transient flow behavior (e.g., water hammer, adiabatic compression), and thruster plume impingement studies

Support development and validation of propulsion fluid systems using best practices

Integrate simulation results with ground and flight test data to validate models and refine designs

Partner closely with design, manufacturing, propulsion, thermal, and GN&C teams to ensure analysis informs critical decisions

Present technical findings at design reviews and contribute to NASA certification processes

Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions when issues arise

Minimum Qualifications

B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering field

8+ years of relevant aerospace design and analysis experience

2+ years of experience overseeing / managing a technical engineering or analysis team

Strong expertise in structural analysis, including FEA modeling, stress analysis, and load case development

Experience with thermo fluid analysis tools (CFD, 1-D system modeling, etc.)

Knowledge of mechanical design, manufacturing processes, and design-for-manufacturability principles

Preferred Qualifications

M.S. or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering

Experience in human spaceflight hardware design and analysis

Expertise in multiphase fluid dynamics, propellant management, and slosh modeling under low-gravity conditions

Experience with thermo-mechanical fatigue, fracture analysis, and spectrum loading fatigue analysis

Hands-on experience with high-pressure gas systems, transient fluid dynamics and heat exchangers

5+ years of experience with liquid or gas  rocket engine combustion devices, including RCS design

Track record of leading multidisciplinary teams linking analysis predictions with test and qualification data to accelerate hardware development and certification

Pay Range: California

$203,360—$232,800 USD