Senior Studio Engineer

Vast is looking for a Senior Studio Engineer, reporting to the Manager of Industrial Design, to support the development of the systems required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

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 50% 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