Manufacturing Engineer, Thermal Controls Systems

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 (TCS), reporting to the Lead Manufacturing Engineer, TCS, to support the development, production, and integration of the systems required for artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing development and build execution of thermal control system hardware, including pumps, fluid loops, coldplates, heaters, and tubing.

• Author and maintain work instructions, assembly procedures, and inspection plans for assigned TCS components.

• Work hands-on with technicians on the shop floor to execute builds, clear blockers, and resolve issues in real time.

• Disposition nonconformances and support root cause investigations and corrective actions.

• Provide design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly feedback to design engineering.

• Support special processes including welding, brazing, tube bending, cleaning, leak testing, and pressure testing.

• Deliver well-built hardware to Integration on schedule and support installation on the vehicle.

• Bring ownership, curiosity, and continuous improvement to every build.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science discipline.

• Hands-on hardware experience through work, internships, co-ops, or student engineering project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline.

• Internship or co-op experience in aerospace, spacecraft, propulsion, thermal, fluid, or other high-reliability hardware.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.

• Exposure to fluid system manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, brazing, tube bending, cleaning, leak testing, and pressure testing.

• Familiarity with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing and inspection planning.

• Experience with NX or another CAD package.

• Exposure to root cause analysis, corrective action, or design of experiments.

• Comfort working directly with technicians on the shop floor to troubleshoot builds.

• Highly self-motivated, organized, and eager to learn in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

Pay Range:

• Manufacturing Engineer I: $86,100 - $122,220

• Manufacturing Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468

Pay Range: California $86,000—$159,000 USD

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.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

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 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 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.

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.