Vast is looking for a Senior Studio Engineer, reporting to the Manager of Industrial Design, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space.
As a Studio Engineer on the Industrial Design team, you will have a unique opportunity to build out the environment that humans in our space station will regularly interact with: displays and controls, cabins, lighting, mobility aids, and more. You will partner with cross-functional teams like structures, avionics, ECLSS, integration, and manufacturing to ensure high-quality human habitation systems are designed and built.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Translate industrial design concepts into feasible, manufacturable CAD models using NX and related tools.
- Partner closely with industrial designers, mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, and program managers to align design intent with engineering feasibility and timelines.
- Create and iterate designs: CAD, physical mockups, build fabrication, and testing.
- Research and propose appropriate materials, finishes, and manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, composite layup, metal forming, additive manufacturing).
- Create and evaluate physical prototypes, mockups, and proof-of-concept models to validate design and engineering solutions.
- Work with external vendors and prototype suppliers to ensure accurate execution of design intent and adherence to specifications.
- Participate in design reviews and validation testing to ensure parts meet performance and reliability targets.
- Track and align studio engineering deliverables with program schedules, key design gates, and development milestones.
- Support rapid iteration cycles between design and engineering to resolve feasibility, packaging, and functional challenges.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years' experience with CAD packages such as NX
- 5+ years' experience collaborating with design professions
- Excellent communication skills; ability to synthesize inputs across 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 Skills & Experience:
- Background in aerospace, automotive or consumer product environments.
- Proficiency in Siemens NX for 3D modeling and surfacing.
- Experience translating and managing data across multiple CAD platforms (e.g., NX, Rhino and SolidWorks).
- Demonstrated ability to work closely with Industrial Design teams to balance aesthetic intent with engineering feasibility.
- Hands-on experience with physical prototyping, mockups, and model validation.
- Strong understanding of material properties, finishes, and behaviors-including metals, plastics, and composites.
- Familiarity with mechanical design principles, structural testing, and design validation methods.
- Knowledge of standard forming and fabrication processes, such as injection molding, sheet metal forming, casting, machining, and additive manufacturing.
- Ability to optimize components for manufacturability, cost, and mass efficiency.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
- Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
- Specific certifications, as appropriate