Vast→
Senior Mission Operations Engineer at Vast in Long Beach, CA
Job Description
Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.
Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
Vast is looking for a Senior Mission Operations Engineer reporting to the Senior Manager of Crew Operations & Training, to support the development of the systems required to enable and execute the delivery of the flight controller and crew training programs needed for human-rated space stations. You are responsible for the planning and successful implementation of technical training for our spacecraft missions. Here, you will work cross functionally with engineers from other disciplines from the early stages of spacecraft design through on-orbit decommissioning.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver training programs and associated products/materials using a variety of delivery platforms, and conduct training to enable certification of console operators and crew members.
- Implement and iterate improvements to processes & systems with a focus on advancing Vast’s Mission Operations and Training approaches while maintaining Vast’s commitment to excellence.
- Identify areas for improvement of the training systems, Mission Systems, Mission Operations Software, and other ground system architecture features and processes, and collaborate with the Mission Systems Engineering & Ground Software Engineering teams to test, deploy, and maintain them.
- Work closely with Mission Management to ensure customer requirements are translated to a Concept of Operations that balances all needs.
- Work with engineers across disciplines to support the development of spacecraft operations training programs and crew operations procedures with intimate knowledge of ground procedures, flight rules, products & processes, culminating in the safe & successful operations of a newly launched spacecraft and crew.
- Provide operational support as the operations expert in planning for and execution of pre-flight testing and checkouts to ensure training systems, spacecraft, and ground systems are ready for readiness campaigns and flight.
- As directed, train for and operate Vast’s crewed and uncrewed missions for vehicle commissioning, on-orbit operations, anomaly resolution and final deorbit of the spacecraft.
- As directed, perform routine analysis of vehicle telemetry and deliver informed summaries as well as recommendations to mission stakeholders as well as to other engineering disciplines for further review & analysis.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, software engineering, or other engineering discipline.
- 2+ years of experience in the operation of complex systems.
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with other engineering disciplines.
- Demonstrated ability to critically think in high stress environments and rapidly evolving situations.
- Ability to disseminate critical engineering & technical information effectively and clearly.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Willing to support 24/7 operations during mission critical phases.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience in human spaceflight mission operations and/or training.
- Experience in technical training development and execution/delivery
- Master’s degree in a technical field.
- 1+ years working in a spacecraft design, build, and test environment.
- Technical knowledge in spacecraft systems engineering (avionics, propulsion, attitude control, communications, orbital mechanics, life support systems, thermal and power control systems).
- Strong technical writing and presentation development and delivery skills.
- Technical knowledge in Space-to-Ground Communication Systems (RF, Ground Stations, Modems, Antenna Systems).
- Experience building from scratch a system, process and team to perform complex operations and training for an aerospace system (launch vehicle, satellite, crew capsule).
- Software Engineering Skills (C++, Golang, Javascript, React, Software Architecture, Databases, Cloud).
- Matlab or Python/Octave Proficiency.
- Proficient at using the command line and scripting languages.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.
- Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
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: 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.