Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite , a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.
Headquartered in Long Beach, California , and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
Vast is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer, Structures, to help develop the systems behind our human-rated space stations. You will drive the development and execution of human-rated vehicle processes as Haven-1 transitions from design to a flight-ready station.
This will be a full-time , exempt position located in our Long Beach, CA location.
Responsibilities:
Responsible for the build and inspection process for the assembly of the primary structure
Develop and refine manufacturing processes, including: welding, trimming, shearing, rolling, bending, and more to meet all design and business requirements including safety, quality, efficiency and delivery
Document and standardize welding and other processes and own the creation and modification of manufacturing planning/work instructions
Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve large-scale production challenges
Work with design engineers to evaluate designs for manufacturability and implementation in a rapidly evolving production environment
Resolve product non-conformances and collaborate with the quality team to implement root cause corrective actions
Help manufacturing and engineering teams to 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 analysis to ensure on-time vehicle delivery to manifest
Minimum Qualifications:
B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing or electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field
Manufacturing experience (including internships) managing a product/product line across multiple work centers and/or departments, fluid, pressurized, propulsion, or environmental control hardware in design, manufacturing, or test
2-4+ years of experience for Manufacturing Engineer II
4-6+ years of experience for Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Hands-on fabrication, assembly, and/or integration experience; CAD proficiency (NX preferred)
Preferred Skills & Experience:
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…