Vast is seeking an experienced and motivated
Manager, Loads & Dynamics, reporting to the
Senior Director of Structures & Dynamics, to support the development, analysis, and verification of dynamic systems for next-generation human-rated space stations and spacecraft.
The ideal candidate will bring solid technical expertise in spacecraft or launch vehicle dynamics, emerging leadership capabilities, and experience contributing to hardware development in fast-paced aerospace environments.
This will be a
full-time,
non-exempt position located in our
Long Beach location.
Responsibilities- Manage and develop a team of Dynamics engineers responsible for loads and environment predictions for spacecraft systems and hardware during transportation, ascent, docking, and on-orbit operations.
- Support execution across multiple phases of the product lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition, analysis, testing, and verification activities.
- Develop and maintain dynamic models, load cases, and environments to support spacecraft design and integration efforts.
- Derive internal loads and environmental requirements from system-level requirements, including quasi-static, random vibration, shock, and acoustic environments.
- Support product teams with vibration and shock requirement tailoring, test planning, and qualification verification activities.
- Build, maintain, and correlate finite element and dynamic prediction models using test data and flight-representative environments.
- Develop post-processing tools and methodologies for dynamic analyses and test data reduction.
- Assess vendor and supplier hardware capabilities against internally generated dynamic predictions and qualification requirements.
- Coordinate with Structures, Propulsion, Thermal, Avionics, GNC, Manufacturing, Test, and Systems Engineering teams to ensure integrated vehicle performance.
- Participate in technical reviews, design trades, and failure investigations related to dynamic environments and structural performance.
- Support spacecraft qualification activities, including vibration, modal, acoustic, and shock testing campaigns.
- Manage day-to-day team priorities, task assignments, and resource allocation aligned with program milestones.
- Provide technical guidance and risk identification support to ensure system performance, reliability, and compliance with verification requirements.
- Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of accountability, technical rigor, and collaboration.
- Contribute to process improvements that enhance modeling accuracy, analysis efficiency, and product quality.
- Coordinate with external suppliers and test facilities to support development and qualification activities.
Minimum Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 6+ years of engineering experience in aerospace or other safety-critical industries.
- 1+ years of technical leadership, project leadership, or engineering management experience.
- Experience performing loads and environments prediction, structural dynamics, vibration, acoustic, shock, or coupled systems analyses for aerospace hardware or vehicle systems.
- Solid understanding of structural dynamics fundamentals, finite element methods, and systems integration principles.
- Experience supporting hardware development through multiple phases of the product lifecycle.
- Proficiency with industry-standard analysis tools such as FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent.
- Experience working in cross-functional engineering environments.
Preferred Skills & Experience:- Experience leading small teams or projects focused on spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other flight-critical systems.
- Experience supporting aerospace programs through qualification, integration, and testing phases.
- Expertise in modal analysis, quasi-static loads, random vibration, sine vibration, shock, acoustic environments, or transient dynamic response analysis.
- Hands-on experience supporting vibration, acoustic, shock, or modal testing campaigns in laboratory or production environments.
- Experience developing and correlating finite element models using test data.
- Familiarity with coupled loads analysis (CLA), spacecraft dynamic environments, and launch vehicle integration requirements.
- Working knowledge of spacecraft launch load environments and industry standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000A, and MIL-STD-810.
- Ability to communicate structural dynamic concepts clearly across multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
- Experience working in fast-paced development and manufacturing environments.
- Passion for advancing the future of human spaceflight and space habitation.
Pay Range: California
$143,000-$203,000 USD
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSBase 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.
