At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in August 2025. 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) Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Fluid Systems, reporting to the Manager, Thermal Control Systems, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. Use this space to describe the role and sell the candidate on the cool stuff they would get to work on.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Conceptualize, develop, and manufacture innovative, cutting-edge tube bending and welding cells capable of meeting the demanding needs for the Haven-1 program. Drive first build and test effort through design integration, assembly sequencing, mBOM development, build and test work order creation, and specification authoring.
- Leverage critical thinking and problem-solving skills to constantly challenge the norms and pushing the boundaries to achieve efficient production fluid transport systems for human space flight within timelines.
- Collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and reliability engineers as well as internal production teams and external vendors to execute expediently and efficiently.
- Create efficient and capable tooling solutions to streamlining production and aid in increased system output while reducing operational burden.
- Establish and enforce standard practices, troubleshooting guides, and standardized repair procedures, with a key responsibility of reviewing and approving planning documents.
- Facilitate day-to-day production of bent, OTW, and manually welded tubing, both on ensuring optimal efficiency and adherence to quality standards.
- Challenge existing production and design requirements for tubing assemblies, utilizing data-driven insights to identify and eliminate wasteful practices, further optimizing the manufacturing process.
- Streamline and optimize existing production systems, proactively identifying areas for cost reduction while enhancing overall quality and efficiency.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- 1+ years of mechanical design and hands-on manufacturing experience (internships and extracurricular experience is applicable)
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Comfortable working in a rapidly changing, high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time.
- Strong understanding of fluid systems.
- Experience tube bending, orbital tube welding (OTW), TIG welding, precision cleaning, tooling design, and/or pressure testing
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to perform root cause analysis.
- Hands-on experience with testing and troubleshooting fluids components and systems is desirable.
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Pay Range:
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer L3: $120,000-$164,000
- Staff Manufacturing Engineer L4: $150,000-$200,000
Salary Range: California
$120,000—$164,000 USD
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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, free catered meals and snacks and beverages, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.
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.
Top Skills
What We Do
Vast is developing artificial gravity space stations to expand humanity across the solar system.
Vast’s mission is to enable large populations of humans to live and work in space, permanently.
Our solar system has the resources and room for humanity to thrive and expand without destroying Earth’s biosphere. Unlocking these resources requires in-space infrastructure and industry at an unprecedented scale.
We are building a world-class team to engineer the human experience in space.
Why Work With Us
We're developing artificial gravity space stations to expand humanity across the solar system in order to enable large populations to live and work in space. Not only is what we're working on groundbreaking, but the team prides itself on living by our values of respect, curiosity, action, and excellence making it a lot more fun to achieve our goal.
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