Vast
From Vast's careers page
Status: listed on the employer's own careers page when we last checked (daily). Confirm on their site before applying.
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 Materials & Processes Engineer – Metallics, reporting to the Materials & Processes Lead, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Provide Materials & Processes engineering expertise for metallic materials used across spacecraft structures, mechanisms, pressure systems, propulsion systems, and other flight hardware
Support material selection and qualification for metals including aluminum, stainless steels, titanium, nickel-based alloys, copper alloys, and other aerospace materials
Develop, review, and maintain material and process specifications, engineering standards, and acceptance criteria.
Provide technical guidance for manufacturing processes including machining, forging, casting, heat treatment, welding, brazing, additive manufacturing, and surface treatments
Evaluate material properties and manufacturing processes against structural, thermal, environmental, fatigue, fracture, corrosion, and life requirements
Develop and execute material and process qualification test plans, including characterization of mechanical and physical properties. Develop and maintain material allowables and process controls
Perform and support failure analysis and root cause investigations involving metallic flight hardware and manufacturing processes. Support nonconformance investigations, MRB activities, corrective actions, and disposition
Work closely with Supplier Quality Engineering and Supply Chain to evaluate supplier capabilities, resolve technical issues, and develop critical suppliers
Serve as highest technical authority on selected processes, alloy classes, or advanced testing techniques
Mentor and raise the technical level of more junior M&P engineers across the team
Represent M&P organization in program-level reviews and lead cross-functional initiatives
Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field
Lvl. I M&P Engineer: 0 years of experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, or manufacturing engineering
Lvl. II M&P Engineer: 2+ years of experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, or manufacturing engineering
Senior M&P Engineer: 5+ years of the above, with demonstrated technical leadership across a subsystem, program, or team
Master’s degree or PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
5+ years of experience supporting metallic materials and processes for spacecraft, launch vehicles, aircraft, pressure vessels, propulsion systems, or other high-reliability hardware
Deep expertise in one or more areas including welding and joining, heat treatment, fatigue and fracture mechanics
Fundamental understanding of metallic materials including aluminum, steel, titanium, nickel-based alloys, or other aerospace metals
Experience with metallic manufacturing processes such as casting, forging, machining, heat treatment, welding, brazing, additive manufacturing, or surface treatments
Experience interpreting material specifications, engineering drawings, test data, and technical requirements
Experience supporting material characterization, process qualification, failure analysis, or root cause investigations
Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams
Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems using a first-principles approach
Extensive, hands-on experience with metallography, microscopy (optical, SEM, EDS), mechanical testing (hardness, tensile, fatigue), fracture analysis or other material characterization methods
Experience developing or qualifying special processes and working with NADCAP or similarly controlled aerospace processes
Familiarity with aerospace material and testing standards such as NASA, AMS, ASTM, AWS, MIL, or equivalent industry standards
Knowledge of material allowables, fatigue and fracture behavior, corrosion prevention, and environmental compatibility
Experience performing hands-on failure analysis and supporting RCCA investigations on flight or production hardware
Experience working in a fast-paced, hardware-first aerospace environment
Ability to work autonomously and take extreme ownership of assigned technical areas
Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Unassisted
Materials and Processes Engineer I: $86,100 - $122,220
Materials and Processes Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468
Senior Materials and Processes Engineer: $137,760 - $195,552
$86,100—$195,552 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.
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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