Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from Vast
Job overview
The Spaceflight Physician at Vast plays a crucial role in ensuring crew health and safety on commercial space missions, contributing to spacecraft design and medical operations for the company's space station projects.
Responsibilities and impact
The physician will assist engineering teams with medical equipment and space station design, support crew medical operations including screening and training, contribute to space medicine education, participate in flight operations, plan crew health stabilization, conduct research for long-duration missions, and supervise trainees.
Compensation and benefits
The salary range is $215,000 to $250,000 USD with company equity and comprehensive benefits including full medical, dental, vision coverage, paid time off, parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k), wellness perks, and high-quality meals.
Experience and skills
Candidates must have an MD or DO with board certification or eligibility in a relevant specialty, an unrestricted medical license, 5+ years in space systems medicine or spaceflight operations, 10+ years clinical experience, and certifications in life support; preferred qualifications include formal space medicine training, austere environment experience, biomedical research, and familiarity with spacecraft systems.
Career development
The role offers opportunities to work on pioneering spaceflight medical operations and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, potentially advancing expertise in space medicine and contributing to future long-duration missions.
Work environment and culture
Vast emphasizes a committed, mission-driven culture focused on safety, innovation, and teamwork in a high-tech environment dedicated to space exploration.
Company information
Vast is developing artificial gravity space stations with the goal of enabling long-term human habitation in space, launching its first commercial space station, Haven-1, in 2026.
Team overview
The physician will work closely with interdisciplinary internal teams and external partners, reporting to the Director of Space Medicine in a collaborative setting.
Job location and travel
This full-time position is based in Long Beach, California, with up to 30% travel and occasional overtime or weekend work required.
Unique job features
The role uniquely combines clinical medical practice with spaceflight operations and spacecraft design, offering a rare opportunity to impact commercial space habitation and crew health in pioneering artificial gravity environments.
Company overview
Vast, also known as Vast Space, is a privately held American aerospace company headquartered in Long Beach, California. Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Jed McCaleb, the company focuses on developing artificial gravity space stations to expand human habitation across the solar system. Vast operates a 115,000-square-foot facility for offices, manufacturing, and integration. The company aims to launch Haven-1, the world's first commercial space station, and has partnered with NASA to advance its technology. Vast generates revenue through space habitation technologies and related services, contributing to the growing aerospace economy in Long Beach.
How to land this job
Position your resume to emphasize your medical degree, board certification, and extensive clinical experience, highlighting your expertise in space medicine and urgent care relevant to spaceflight operations.
Highlight your experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, spacecraft systems knowledge, and your role in medical equipment selection and space mission health protocols.
Apply through Vast's corporate careers page and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility and ensure you meet their export control compliance requirements.
Connect with current Vast employees in the Space Medicine or Spaceflight divisions on LinkedIn; start conversations by referencing recent space medicine advancements or expressing curiosity about the Haven-1 mission timeline and medical challenges.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords such as 'space medicine,' 'crew medical operations,' 'artificial gravity,' 'telemedicine,' and 'spaceflight safety' to align closely with the job description.
Use Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailored applications, identify multiple application portals, and find LinkedIn connections, allowing you to focus on preparing for interviews and networking effectively.
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