Vast has multiple Tooling Engineer openings, reporting to the Senior Manager, Tooling, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

• Own the design, activation, and implementation, and support fabrication, of fixtures and tooling required for Haven-1 assembly, lifting, and handling.
• Work with Integration and Manufacturing to define vehicle integration flow, manufacturing process, concepts and tooling interfaces.
• Collaborate with vehicle engineering and production to define fixture and tooling specifications, qualification plans, and introduce to production.
• Perform mechanical analysis for spacecraft fixtures.
• Develop operation and maintenance plans for all test fixtures and tooling. Assist the facilities manager(s) in all aspects of project implementation as needed
• Manage schedule on assigned projects including critical next steps, deadlines, and outcome.
• Manage vendor relationships and coordinate meetings to identify new technologies and how they can be applied to Vast’s cutting edge applications.
• Develop, test, and implement tool improvements to yield time savings or tolerance improvements.
• Coordinate tooling modifications related to part, production, or other changes.
• Work closely with engineering stakeholders and technicians to solve production-related issues. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• Experience with GD&T.
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace or automotive tooling.
• 5+ years of experience in NX or other 3D CAD packages.
• Hands-on experience with handling, lifting, or building large, complex assemblies.
• Knowledge of project planning and execution practices, including logic-linked schedule management.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with work orders and assembly instructions.
• Design of pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic motion systems.
• Critical lifting and break overs fixtures.
• Integration tooling design.
• A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment and hands-on design and development.
• Strong communication skills.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Pay Range: 

• Tooling Engineer II $112,340 - $159,468
• Senior Tooling Engineer $137,760 - $195,552
• Staff Tooling Engineer $162,360 - $230,472

Vast is looking for a Post Processing Technician, reporting to the Fabrication Supervisor, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human- rated space stations. This will be a full-time, non-exempt position located in our Hawthorne location. In this role you will have the opportunity to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment where quick communication and effective execution are key.

 Responsibilities

• Perform sample collection, such as Particle and NVR .
• Handle solvents and other chemicals.
• Maintain lot number traceability and serialization of parts.
• Maintain Inventory of lab consumables.
• Precision cleaning Class 1-5 in support of all Vast programs.
• Work in pre-clean and cleanroom environments according to proper protocols.
• Maintain cleanliness of the lab.
• Analyze and implement projects to improve the work center.
• Provide technical support of chemical processing within Vast.
• Ensure all processes are available, monitoring processing and lab equipment condition/replacement needs, tracking parameters to ensure safety of hardware and operators as well as product, ensure all documentation is current and coordinate with EH&S.
• Manage chemical inventory of the production line and chemical laboratory.
• Perform chemical additions and adjustments of process chemistry based on analytical data and trends.
• Solve and troubleshoot chemical processing difficulties.
• Computer skills such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Utilizing a Jib Crane to move heavy parts from various locations.
• Using multiple machines to perform laser part marking .
• Must be able to lift up to 25lbs . unassisted .

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency  
• 3 + years of experience working in Precision Clean Line.
• 2+ years of experience Performing Cleanness Verification Process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the handling of any type of lifting equipment, with a preference for a Jib Crane.
• Knowledge of Nitric and Citric passivation, cleaning, and anodizing.
• Experience working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
•  Experience documenting work in official records or work reports.
• Eagerness and demonstrated record of working as a member of small teams to accomplish tasks safely and efficiently.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and careful work practices around industrial hazards.
• Computer literate, able to follow instructions and record day to day activities.
• Knowledge of working with automatic particle machines and various types of borescopes

Pay Range: 

• Post Processing Technician I: $20.00 - $29.00
• Post Processing Technician  II: $24.00-$34.00
• Post Processing Technician  III: $28.00-$40.00

Vast is seeking a Fluid Systems Manufacturing Engineer to join our team in Long Beach. Reporting to the Manager of Fluid Systems Manufacturing, this role will play a key part in developing the systems required for the design and build of the world’s first artificial-gravity, human-rated space stations.

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Long Beach, California.

• Conceptualize, develop, and manufacture innovative tube-bending and welding cells to meet the demanding requirements of the Haven-1 program. Lead first-build and test efforts, including design integration, assembly sequencing, mBOM development, work order creation, and specification authoring.
• Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent, accurate production of all tubing systems.
• Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges through root-cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and drive efficient human-spaceflight production within aggressive timelines.
• Collaborate closely with design engineers, integration engineers, production teams, and external vendors to execute builds expediently and efficiently.
• Develop efficient, capability-driven tooling solutions that streamline production, increase system output, and reduce operational burden.
• Partner with quality assurance teams to establish and maintain rigorous quality control processes.
• Establish and maintain standard practices, troubleshooting guides, and standardized repair procedures; review and approve all related planning documents.
• Support day-to-day production of bent tubes, orbital tube welding (OTW), and manually welded tubing, ensuring optimal efficiency and adherence to quality standards.
• Evaluate and challenge existing production and design requirements for tubing assemblies, using data-driven insights to eliminate waste and optimize the manufacturing process.
• Continuously streamline and improve production systems by proactively identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall product quality.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Hands-on experience in one or more of the following: tube bending, orbital tube welding (OTW), TIG welding, precision cleaning, tooling design, fluid systems design, or pressure testing.
• 2+ years of manufacturing engineering experience (internships and extracurricular engineering experience acceptable), preferably within aerospace, oil & gas, or pharmaceutical industries.

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.
• 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: 

• Staff Manufacturing Engineer: $160,000 - $230,000
• Senior Manufacturing Engineer: $137,000 - $190,720
• Manufacturing Engineer II: $100,000 - $129,360
• Manufacturing Engineer I: $85,000 - $106,820