This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. In this role, you will be crucial in ensuring the consistent quality and reliability of the products and components we receive from our suppliers.
Responsibilities
Evaluate and onboard new suppliers. Run regular audits, assessments, and evaluations to confirm they meet Vast's quality standards
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships. Address quality issues, identify supply chain risks, and implement improvements
Work with design and manufacturing engineers to understand the design intent of piece parts, assemblies, and subsystems
Run design-for-manufacturability reviews early, ideally before sourcing
Work with procurement to source parts strategically by assessing supplier manufacturing processes, inspection practices, and quality systems
Drive continuous improvement with suppliers and internally. Analyze quality data, identify trends, and implement corrective and preventive actions that improve quality and reduce cost
Define supplier technical and quality requirements from customer and program requirements for NPI and production
Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to find trends and systemic performance gaps, and build supplier improvement plans
Lead root cause and corrective action for any escapes or nonconformances found in Vast manufacturing or the Vast supply chain
Show a strong sense of ownership, technical excellence, initiative, and attention to detail
Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Materials, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
5+ years in reliability, process, or quality engineering in a production environment, with hands-on RCCA on product or process issues
Working knowledge of manufacturing and special processes, failure mechanisms, and inspection or NDE methods
Experience reading and applying industry specifications and drawing requirements
Preferred Skills & Experience
A proven record of taking RCCAs to verified closure and influencing suppliers to get results
Hands-on failure analysis experience
Working knowledge of quality systems (ISO 9000, AS9100, NADCAP) and supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAI)
Familiarity with aerospace specifications for special processes, inspection, and process control
Experience applying statistical methods (MSA, DOE, hypothesis testing, Cpk) and structured problem solving (8D, fault tree, Ishikawa, Six Sigma)
Experience with additive manufacturing, welding, fracture mechanics, or damage tolerance
Experience with MES and PLM systems, plus Google Suite, SQL, and Python
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment and across many functions
Strong written and verbal communication, with the ability to explain technical findings to all levels of Vast and the supply base
Additional Requirements
Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
Pay Range: California
$123,000—$230,000 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.
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.
