Manufacturing Engineering, Thermal Control
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, Thermal Control Systems, to help develop the systems behind our human-rated space stations. You'll use your engineering knowledge and creativity to design, build, and test novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach, CA location.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for environmental and thermal control systems, balancing efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness
- Design, fabricate, and activate ground support equipment and test articles in partnership with technicians, with an emphasis on pressurized ground systems
- Operate, troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and modify manufacturing and test equipment spanning vacuum to 20,000 psig, including pneumatic, hydraulic, oxygen, refrigerant, and data/control systems
- Author and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions for consistent and accurate production of TCS hardware
- Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of components to ensure compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards
- Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges through root cause analysis and corrective action
- Collaborate with design teams to provide design-for-manufacturability, assembly, and test feedback on thermal and environmental hardware (e.g., tubing, heat exchangers, cold plates, pumps, fans, valves, heaters, filters, MLI)
- Partner with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of high-quality components, including reviewing and approving supplier manufacturing processes
- Collaborate with quality assurance teams to establish and uphold rigorous quality control processes
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and elevate product quality
- Understanding of fluid systems, tube manufacturing processes, and assembly techniques
Minimum Qualifications:
- B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing or electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field
- 2 + years of manufacturing experience 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)
- Experience with CAD tools (e.g., Siemens NX) and the ability to review designs, generate manufacturing documentation, and design assembly or test tooling
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 GD&T
- Strong problem-solving skills, including troubleshooting and structured root cause analysis
- Strong attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to work well in cross-functional teams
- Senior Level: experience mentoring engineers or technicians and managing multiple projects at once
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Pay Ranges:
- Engineer/ Level I: $86,100.00 - $122,220.00
- Engineer/ Level II: $112,340.00 - $159,468.00
- Senior Engineer/ Level III: $137,760.00 - $195,552.00
We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.
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: 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 & 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.
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.
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