Mechanical Engineer, Interiors

Position Overview

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—beginning with Haven‑1, the world's first commercial space station scheduled to launch into low‑Earth orbit in 2026—to enable long‐term human presence in space. Vast is looking for a Mechanical Engineer, Interiors, reporting to the Manager, Structures Design, to design, engineer, test, and produce soft goods (textiles, closeouts, cargo packaging and restraint systems, upholstery, coverings, bedding, etc.) for human-occupied modules at our Long Beach location.

Key Responsibilities

• Work cross functionally to define requirements for interior subsystems according to habitat architecture and crew use.
• Collaborate with the design team to select and validate materials (textiles, foams, fabrics, coatings, insulation, etc.) considering off‑gassing, flame resistance, thermal cycling, wear, and cleaning/sterilization.
• Create and iterate designs via sketching, CAD, prototyping, physical mockups, build fabrication, and lab testing.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to integrate attachment details, interfaces, anchoring, and load considerations in both dynamic and static cases.
• Develop test plans, fixtures, qualification campaigns and oversee testing (mechanical loads, fatigue, abrasion, environmental exposure).
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing for translating designs into manufacturable products, including specifying tolerances and quality assurance measures.
• Document design decisions, analyses, drawings, and specifications, while maintaining a materials tracker.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Relevant mechanical design engineering project experience at a university or professional level.
• 2+ years of experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
• Strong engineering fundamentals in problem solving and hands‑on skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize inputs across various teams (industrial design, human factors, structural, safety, manufacturing).
• Comfort working in ambiguity; ability to move fast, take ownership, and deliver under tight schedule constraints.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3‑5 years of engineering experience with soft goods, textiles, or fabric structures—ideally in aerospace, vehicle interiors, or safety equipment.
• Knowledge of soft good manufacturing processes (upholstery, coating, laminates, bonding, sewing, foam routing).
• Experience with environmental qualification including structural, thermal cycling, radiation, and UV testing.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally (10‑15%) for supplier or vendor visits and to support hands‑on build, installation, or field tests as needed.

COMPENSATION and Benefits & Perks

• Pay Range – Mechanical Engineer II: $110,000 - $142,100; Senior Mechanical Engineer: $135,800 - $176,400.
• Base Salary will vary based on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand.
• Company equity is offered as part of a comprehensive compensation package.
• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Flexible paid time off (with up to 10 days of vacation for non‑exempt staff) and paid parental leave.
• Short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Exclusive perks including One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, and personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health.
• Exceptional food perks: complimentary snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, dinner meals, and subsidized lunch.