Manufacturing Engineering, Structures

Vast • Long Beach, CA

6d • $86,100 - $195,552 • Onsite

About The Position

Vast is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer, Structures, to develop the systems behind its human-rated space stations. The role will drive the development and execution of human-rated vehicle processes as Haven-1 transitions from design to a flight-ready station. The position is full-time, exempt, and located in Long Beach, California.

The successful candidate will own build and inspection processes for primary-structure assembly and develop, refine, document, and standardize manufacturing processes and work instructions. The role works closely with design, manufacturing, quality, engineering, subject-matter experts, and technicians to solve production challenges, support manufacturability, resolve non-conformances, and prepare facilities and production flows for volume demand and on-time vehicle delivery.

Vast welcomes applicants across a range of experience levels. Level and compensation are calibrated to the selected candidate’s experience and demonstrated capability. Listed pay ranges are $86,100–$122,220 for Engineer I, $112,340–$159,468 for Engineer II, and $137,760–$195,552 for Senior Engineer.

Vast is developing commercial space stations and space infrastructure, including Haven-1, planned to launch in 2027, and future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars. The company is headquartered in Long Beach, California, and reports more than 1,000 employees.

Requirements

• B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, or electrical engineering; physics; mathematics; or a related technical field.
• Manufacturing experience, including internships, managing a product or product line across multiple work centers and/or departments; experience may involve fluid, pressurized, propulsion, or environmental-control hardware in design, manufacturing, or test.
• For Manufacturing Engineer II: 2–4+ years of experience.
• For Senior Manufacturing Engineer: 4–6+ years of experience.
• Hands-on fabrication, assembly, and/or integration experience.
• CAD proficiency; NX is preferred.
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience building or testing hardware in industry or through student teams such as Formula SAE, rocketry, CubeSat, or robotics.
• Experience with aerospace, spacecraft, propulsion, or other safety-critical or high-reliability hardware.
• Experience taking designs or processes from concept through build or test, and from R&D to production.
• Familiarity with CAD tools, ideally Siemens NX, and PLM tools such as Teamcenter.
• Exposure to thermal or structural analysis using Ansys or similar tools.
• Awareness of aerospace workmanship, design, and environmental test standards such as IPC, SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001, or MIL-STD-810.
• Proficiency applying GD&T.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including troubleshooting and structured root-cause analysis.
• Strong attention to detail, clear communication, and ability to work well in cross-functional teams.
• For Senior level: experience mentoring engineers or technicians and managing multiple projects at once.

Responsibilities

• Own the build and inspection process for assembly of the primary structure.
• Develop and refine manufacturing processes—including welding, trimming, shearing, rolling, and bending—to meet safety, quality, efficiency, delivery, design, and business requirements.
• Document and standardize welding and other processes, and create and modify manufacturing plans and work instructions.
• Collaborate with engineers, subject-matter experts, and technicians to solve large-scale production challenges.
• Work with design engineers to evaluate designs for manufacturability and implementation in an evolving production environment.
• Resolve product non-conformances and work with the quality team to implement root-cause corrective actions.
• Help manufacturing and engineering teams identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout upgrades to meet volume-production demand.
• Develop and refine floor layouts, capacity models, and product-flow analyses to support on-time vehicle delivery to manifest.

Benefits

• Company equity for full-time employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Paid time off, including up to 20+ vacation days for exempt staff and up to 10+ vacation days for non-exempt staff; unused vacation may be cashed out 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: Entry Level