Environmental Health and Safety Engineer

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next‑generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware‑rich and low‑cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi‑module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all‑in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a(n) Environmental Health & Safety Engineer , reporting to the Manager of Environmental, Health, and Safety , to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human‑rated space stations.

This role is a growth oriented position that spans from foundational EHS support to the independent management of complex technical projects. The successful candidate will leverage their engineering knowledge to identify hazards, design and implement engineering controls, and ensure regulatory compliance while collaborating across departments.

This will be a full‑time , exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities

Engineering & Project Management

• Review facility design changes and capital projects to ensure compliance with EHS standards, building codes, and safety best practices.
• Manage the full life cycle of moderate to complex EHS technical programs (e.g., machine guarding, lockout / tag out, ventilation systems).
• Conduct engineering level risk assessments and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for equipment specific EHS procedures.
• Identify, communicate, and gain buy‑in for implementing effective engineering controls.

Compliance & Technical Oversight

• Act as a subject matter expert for specific technical regulatory compliance areas, including California Fire Code.
• Develop, administer, and implement environmental air quality compliance programs in accordance with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD).
• Oversee the Hazardous Waste Management Program (Large and Small Quantity Generator status), including profiling hazardous waste streams, chemical lab packing, and scheduling of drum/bulk pickup.
• Conduct industrial hygiene sampling and monitoring (e.g., noise, air quality, toxic chemicals such as chromium or cadmium, and ergonomic challenges) and interpret results to drive improvements.
• Interact with federal, state, and local regulators; support audits, inspections, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance teams to integrate EHS specifications into daily operational workflows.

Incident Investigation

• Lead the technical aspect of incident investigations for injuries, near misses, or complex equipment related events.
• Identify root causes through root cause analyses and design permanent, robust engineering corrective actions.

Training & KPIs

• Develop and deliver technical EHS training, including new hire training, to maintenance and engineering teams on systems such as LOTO, machine guarding, and confined spaces.
• Track and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, program gaps, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Facilitate and support site safety committees to foster a culture of safety and ensure employee engagement.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Industrial Hygiene, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering (or a related scientific discipline).
• Experience: 2-5+ years of hands‑on EHS experience in a manufacturing or aerospace setting. Proven ability to manage technical projects, conduct risk assessments, and implement environmental and/or health and safety programs.
• Knowledge Base: Familiarity with high risk aerospace hazards including control of hazardous energy and LOTO, hot work, fall protection, confined space entry, and ergonomic evaluations.
• Certifications: Preferred certifications include Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local EHS regulations (e.g., EPA, OSHA, California Air Resources Board).
• Proficiency in interpreting regulations and applying them to facility specific operations.
• Experience with safety audit methodologies and hazard identification.

Soft Skills

• Adept at managing multiple tasks and shifting priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence cross functional teams and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to hands on work and meticulous attention to detail.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to travel between sites (Long Beach, Hawthorne, Mojave) up to 25% of the time.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.
• Familiarity with the safe operation of Powered Industrial Trucks.
• Familiarity with the safe operation of Overhead crane systems.

Pay Range

• Environmental Health & Safety Engineer I: $90,200 - 128,040
• Environmental Health & Safety Engineer II: $100,040 - 142,008

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.