Senior Manager, Life Support Systems

Vast•Long Beach, CA 90801, US• Full Time

Posted 3 hours ago• Aerospace Engineering

Compensation

$159,100–$205,800/year

Job Description

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 looking for a Senior Manager of Life Support Systems, reporting to the Director of Life Support 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.

Responsibilities:

Build, mentor, and retain a diverse team of ECLSS engineers focused on pressurized life support systems.
Own the end-to-end technical strategy and execution for cabin pressurization, oxygen supply, fire suppression systems.
Lead system architecture, design trades, and first-principles analyses to mature concepts into validated flight hardware.
Drive technology development to ever increasing high pressure GOX and Nitrox systems.
Oversee design, analysis, development testing, qualification, and manufacturing in a fast-paced hardware environment.
Own program execution from early design through production, launch, and on-orbit operation.
Perform and guide systems engineering activities including fluid modeling, performance analysis, and requirements flow-down.
Evaluate and select tools, technologies, and third-party partners aligned with long-term program needs.
Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless integration with structures, avionics, software, thermal systems, and mission operations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
10+ years of experience developing high pressure GOX and Nitrox systems.
5+ years of experience leading and managing engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in an engineering discipline.
Experience developing pressurized life support systems.
Strong background in first-principles trade studies and engineering decision-making under uncertainty.
Experience with rotating machinery such as fans, pumps, or compressors.
Familiarity with soft goods and flexible fluid system components.
Proficiency in NX or comparable CAD tools.
Deep understanding of GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis.
Experience with structural analysis methods including hand calculations and FEM tools such as FEMAP or ANSYS. Proficiency in fracture control analysis.
Knowledge of metallic and fluid system manufacturing processes including machining, welding, brazing, and tube bending.
Demonstrated experience in root cause analysis, failure investigation, and design of experiments.

Pay Range:

Senior Manager, Life Support Systems: $159,100 - $205,800

Pay Range: California

$159,100—$205,800 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, 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.

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.

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.