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 Senior Mechanical Engineer, Structures, reporting to the Manager, Structures Design, 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. The Structures and Dynamics team covers a wide range of components and responsibilities: from the primary pressure hull, to MMOD shielding, engineered soft goods, and establishing design loads and factors, as well as supporting other teams' design needs across the company. Responsibilities: • Own design of primary and secondary structures on a large scale space station. • Develop understanding of static and dynamic loads, vibrations, thermal and other environmental considerations to drive design decisions. • Perform mechanical design and analysis, develop manufacturing drawings, test plans, concept of operations, and follow hardware through the entire process. • Lead trades and own interfaces with sub systems. • Work with fabricators and technicians to improve designs, develop processes, and resolve issues. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, physics, or math. • 4+ years experience with CAD and FEA software packages. • 4+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical components or systems. Preferred Skills & Experience: • Design of structures and components for a high-performance vehicle or spacecraft. • Proactive problem-solving skills such as failure analysis and root cause investigation. • Prior experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. • Design work in recent versions of NX/ Teamcenter. • Analysis work in recent versions of Ansys, Femap/Nastran, Abaqus. • Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5). • Familiarity with spacecraft specifications such as SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001. Pay Range: • Senior Mechanical Engineer: $135,800 - $176,400 • Staff Mechanical Engineer: $159,100 - $205,800 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. 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.
See More Details >>SpinLaunch is pioneering a new era of scalable space infrastructure. Following years of innovation in alternative launch systems, we’re now applying that same disruptive mindset to orbit—developing Meridian Space, a ground-breaking broadband satellite constellation built for rapid deployment and low-cost global coverage. With backing from industry leaders, SpinLaunch is positioned to deliver a fully integrated ecosystem of launch, satellite, and connectivity services. Join us in our mission and be an integral part of a close-knit, collaborative team that strives in a fast-paced, innovative environment. This is an on-site position located at our Long Beach, CA headquarters. Your Mission on the Team: You are responsible for the design and development of satellite structures, mechanisms and thermal management of satellites for the Meridian Space constellation from concept through orbit. This includes structural design, deployable mechanisms, launch vehicle interfaces, satellite deployment, thermal analysis, manufacturing, assembly and testing. As part of a small team tackling ambitious challenges, you’ll take full ownership of the end-to-end success of your hardware in orbit - driving every aspect of development, from design to fully-integrated, space-ready systems. Basic Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or related field • 3+ years professional aerospace mechanical design/development experience • Strong understanding of structural mechanics, materials, dynamics, and manufacturing methods • Skill in using and creating software tools to model systems performance across a variety of disciplines (MATLAB, Python, Excel, etc.) • Experience with CAD (Solidworks, etc.) and creating engineering drawings • Ability to work autonomously and exercise good engineering judgement • Strong interpersonal, verbal communication, and written communication skills Preferred Qualifications: • 7+ years professional spacecraft design/development experience • Master's degree or PhD in Engineering, or related field • Experience designing low-cost satellites intended for high production volumes • Experience designing spacecraft for launch vehicle interfaces and analyzing launch loads • Expertise with spacecraft separation systems and other mechanisms • Experience with spacecraft assembly, integration, and test • Experience with spacecraft thermal analysis and design • Breadth of understanding of other spacecraft subsystems and general knowledge of satellite operations ITAR Requirements SpinLaunch is required by the U.S. Government to comply with various space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (“green card holder”) or a protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information on ITAR can be found here. SpinLaunch is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Each individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal employment opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices, including harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
See More Details >>At Relativity Space, we're building rockets to serve today's needs and tomorrow's breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that's just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known. Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven't been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you're in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you'll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we're writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it's early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us. About the Team: The Launch team operates at the intersection of every major aspect of Terran R, from stages and payloads to ground systems, launch, landing, and refurbishment. The Cape is the only place where you see it all come together, offering a level of exposure and responsibility unmatched elsewhere in the program. This is where first flights happen, where history is built on top of history, and where the scale of what's underway is unlike anything in modern aerospace. The mission stays the same, but the work evolves with every milestone: from first launch to reuse, high-cadence operations, and beyond. If you're looking to define what's next in space launch and write a new playbook, not just repeat what's already been done, this is where it happens. About the Role: • Apply fundamental and practical engineering methods to lead mechanical design projects from concept through implementation • Interpret and coordinate requirements between vehicle systems and other ground support engineering teams • Develop 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, fluid system schematics, and electrical schematics as needed to fully define designs • Conduct structural, dynamic, and system performance analyses using hand calculations and finite element methods • Present design concepts and solutions to cross-functional teams, clearly communicating engineering methods, functionality, and constructability About You: • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field • Solid understanding of engineering fundamentals related to mechanical design, structural analysis, and fluid systems • Proven ability to deliver results under tight deadlines, including the application of creative and practical solutions to complex problems Nice to haves, but not required: • Prior internship or professional experience in structural, mechanical, or fluid system design and analysis • Experience with the design, testing, and implementation of mechanical structures, mechanisms, or fluid systems • Familiarity with a range of structural materials and manufacturing processes • Knowledge of designing complex fluid systems (e.g., high-pressure gases, cryogenic fluids, flammables, or hydraulics) We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@relativityspace.com.
See More Details >>Embarking on a career in the mechanical trade typically begins with an apprenticeship, combining practical experience with structured learning over a period of about four to five years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 3 million mechanical trades professionals nationwide, and ongoing demand driven by sectors such as manufacturing and construction in Long Beach, CA. The average weekly wage for a mechanical trade worker in Long Beach, CA hovers around $1,800, offering an annual earning potential surpassing $94,000 for experienced professionals. Programs through vocational schools, unions, and platforms like Apprenticeship.gov can guide aspiring mechanical trades professionals, leading to a fulfilling career with robust financial rewards.
