Senior Manufacturing Engineer

About the company

Vast develops commercial space stations to support sustained human activity, research, and manufacturing in low-Earth orbit and beyond.

About this role

<div class="content-intro"><p>At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. 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.</p></div><p>Vast is looking for a <strong>Senior Manufacturing Engineer</strong>, reporting to the<strong> Vice President of E-2, </strong>to create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers, while optimizing for production and low cost. In this role, you will join a team with exciting momentum that has produced and successfully tested fully integrated engine development samples. You will be a key member who will help transition the system from development to production.&nbsp;</p> <p>This will be a full-time, <strong>exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Hawthorne</strong> location.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Responsibilities:&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li>Hands on collaboration with the design team to transfer knowledge and provide input on the manufacturability and assembly processes for E-2 engine&nbsp;</li> <li>Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent and accurate production</li> <li>Own MBOM transition to MES</li> <li>Support manufacturing and assembly shop layout</li> <li>Document and hold Manufacturing and Test Readiness Reviews</li> <li>Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of components, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering and manufacturing, to ensure seamless integration of manufacturing processes</li> <li>Specify and procure dedicated manufacturing and tools and equipment</li> <li>Provide mentoring to junior engineers</li> <li>Implement continuous improvements on shop floor to increase productivity</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field</li> <li>5 + years of experience&nbsp; in manufacturing engineering, preferably in aerospace</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Skills &amp; Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams&nbsp;</li> <li>Proficiency in CAD software (such as Siemens NX) for reviewing designs and creating manufacturing documentation&nbsp;</li> <li>Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work</li> <li>Strong GD&amp;T skills, and experience creating and reviewing drawings</li> <li>Strong understanding of fluid systems, tube manufacturing processes, welding and assembly techniques</li> <li>Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to perform root cause analysis&nbsp;</li> <li>Hands-on experience with testing and troubleshooting fluid components is desirable</li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ability to travel up to 50% of the time</li> <li>Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones</li> <li>Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted</li> <li>Specific certifications, as appropriate</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$135,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$195,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS<br></strong><br>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: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff 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, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee &amp; onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.</p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong><br>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS<br><br></strong>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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> 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.<br><br></p>