Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and capital-efficient approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to support a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and supporting a growing space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to design, build, and operate its own spacecraft in orbit. Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo: Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon.

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 capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Lead Integration Build Engineer, reporting to the Manager, Integration, to support the development of the systems required for the build and test of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

As a lead for the Integration Build Engineering team, you will develop creative solutions to complex assembly, integration, and test problems. You will play a critical role in our development and production teams for identifying and defining human-rated vehicle processes, and growing a team that exists at the center of Haven-1 execution. Your input will be vital in transitioning the space station from design to a built and tested station ready to host humans in space.

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

Responsibilities

Lead and grow a team of engineers and specialists charged with developing, scaling, and maintaining the facilities, tooling, and processes used to build, test, and integrate flight hardware for Haven-1
Support day-to-day execution of hardware production and vehicle-level integration, ensuring builds are safe, on schedule, cost-effective, and produce hardware that performs on orbit
Operate as an interdisciplinary engineer that can collect production requirements, then plan and execute the build, integration, and validation of flight hardware against those requirements
Design and implement tooling and fixture solutions that are required for all phases of Haven-1’s integration campaigns
Challenge existing design and process requirements, remove unnecessary steps, and optimize the build for a highly reliable vehicle that can meet schedule demands
Become a subject-matter expert for the build of vehicle-level systems (e.g., structures, propulsion, thermal, ECLSS, or avionics), maintaining working knowledge of its design, schematics, and requirements
Evaluate nonconformances, identify root causes and robust solutions, and drive corrective actions
Generate and maintain design-for-manufacturing requirements and work instructions/test procedures used to build flight hardware
Set clear goals for the team and hold members accountable for execution and continuous improvement in their area of ownership
Own the relationship with design engineering, supply chain, mission management, and other cross-functional partner teams
Identify opportunities for team growth and develop training to increase overall engineering effectiveness

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, electrical, or similar field
2+ years of related engineering experience

Preferred Skills & Experience

Experience with the build, assembly, integration, or test of complex assemblies and systems