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 Manufacturing Engineer, Propulsion, reporting to the Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Propulsion, to own components and subassemblies and support the development, production, and integration of propulsion and pressurization hardware for artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities

Support the propulsion manufacturing engineering team day to day: execute against priorities set by the Lead, communicate status and blockers, and share knowledge with peers
Contribute to team onboarding and knowledge sharing; at E3, informally mentor newer engineers
Own manufacturing development, production readiness, and build execution for assigned propulsion and pressurization hardware (typically 1-2 components or subassemblies), including valves, regulators, tubing, ducting, manifolds, COPVs, fittings, and instrumentation, working hands-on on the floor
Support the propulsion manufacturing schedule and build sequencing across development, qualification, and flight builds for owned hardware
Report hardware status, risks, and mitigation plans for owned hardware to the Lead and cross-functional partners
Partner with propulsion and systems design teams to drive design for manufacturing and manufacturing readiness
Develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes and production equipment with increasing independence by level, including welding, brazing, tube fabrication, precision cleaning, and proof and leak testing
Work with suppliers on manufacturing readiness, including review of supplier processes and documentation
Partner with quality engineering to define inspection methods, acceptance criteria, and process controls for safety-critical fluid components
Uphold a strong safety and quality culture for high-pressure and hazardous fluid hardware

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering, or a related discipline
Manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, propulsion, or high-reliability fluid systems (E1: 0-2 years; E2: 2-4 years; E3: 5+ years; internships and co-ops count toward E1)
Hands-on hardware experience supporting fabrication, assembly, integration, and/or testing of fluid system hardware (internship, co-op, or project-based experience acceptable)
Experience, or demonstrated ability to learn quickly, developing manufacturing processes, travelers, work instructions, and production documentation for safety-critical hardware
Working knowledge of CAD tools (e.g., Siemens NX) with the ability to review designs, generate manufacturing documentation, and support assembly or test tooling design