Build Reliability Engineer - Fluid Systems

Vast • Long Beach, CA

6d • $112,340 - $195,552 • Onsite

About The Position

Vast is hiring a Build Reliability Engineer (Fluid Systems) to support the reliability of flight avionics hardware across the product lifecycle for human-rated space stations. Reporting to the Principal Build Reliability Engineer, this role works across design, manufacturing, integration, and test to help ensure space systems meet high standards of safety, quality, and performance. The position is full-time, exempt, and based in Long Beach, California.

The engineer owns build reliability for avionics hardware and work centers, establishes readiness expectations, and partners with cross-functional teams to improve production processes, manage risk, investigate issues, and prevent quality escapes. The role also leads data-driven quality reviews and initiatives to reduce cost of quality.

The position may require travel up to 5% and support for mission-critical events outside normal working hours. The person hired must be a U.S. person as defined by the applicable export-control regulations or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in manufacturing, design, quality, reliability, or related roles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent communication and technical skills.
• Ability to travel up to 5%.
• Ability to support mission-critical events outside normal working hours.
• Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or higher; an advanced degree in an engineering discipline is also listed as preferred.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Direct experience with harness manufacturing, avionics/electromechanical manufacturing, functional testing, pressure testing, or environmental testing.
• Track record of project ownership, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and influencing suppliers to drive results.
• Ability to learn new tools, processes, and technical concepts quickly.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and collaborate across a matrixed organization.
• Detail-oriented approach and strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts to all levels of the organization.
• Experience with statistical controls and methods such as MSA, DOE, and hypothesis testing.
• Disciplined problem-solving approach, such as Six Sigma or 8D.
• Working knowledge of quality systems and standards such as ISO 9001 and AS9100.
• Familiarity with standards relevant to solar arrays and avionics manufacturing, including IPC 620, IPC 610, NASA 8739.4 workmanship standards, and launch requirements per SMC-S-016.

Responsibilities

• Own Build Reliability for avionics hardware and work centers, setting expectations for reliability, manufacturability, and build and flight readiness.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Mission Assurance leadership to establish robust, scalable quality and verification plans across the product lifecycle and carry lessons across programs.
• Define readiness criteria for introducing flight hardware, including process qualification, manufacturability, and inspectability, and drive retirement of build risks during production ramp-up.
• Mature internal avionics production processes, including documentation, equipment, tooling, process controls, data collection, and training.
• Ensure off-nominal work is performed and documented reliably; partner with Mission Assurance on risk mitigation and response plans for severe issues.
• Provide leadership and technical direction on high-visibility issues, establish recovery plans, and align operations, quality, and engineering on execution.
• Collect and analyze build data to identify risks and recurring issues; lead build quality reviews and make data-driven recommendations to prevent escapes and improve reliability.
• Lead containment and root-cause investigations of high-impact avionics issues and ensure robust corrective actions address root causes and systemic contributors.
• Lead cost-of-quality reduction initiatives through simplified requirements, clearer design standards, streamlined inspection and process validation, and stronger process controls.

Benefits

• Company equity for full-time employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Generous paid time off; exempt staff may receive 20+ vacation days and non-exempt staff 10+ vacation days, 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.
• Other discounts and perks.
• Free snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, and dinner meals; subsidized lunch.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level