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
Evaluating and onboarding new suppliers, ensuring they meet our quality expectations by conducting regular audits, assessments, and evaluations to ensure that our suppliers adhere to our quality standards
Establish and maintain strong relationships with our suppliers, address any quality-related issues, identify risks in the supply chain, and implement improvements
Collaborate with design, and manufacturing engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of piece part, assembly, and/or sub-system design intent. Conduct design for manufacturing reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable at early stages, preferably prior to sourcing
Collaborate with procurement teams to strategically source parts by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes, inspection practices, and quality systems
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, both internally and with our suppliers, by analyzing quality data, identifying trends, and implementing corrective and preventive actions to enhance the overall quality of our products and reduce costs
Create and define supplier technical and quality requirements based on customer and program requirements and expectations for NPI and manufacturing phases
Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends, pinpoint systemic performance gaps, and develop supplier improvement plans
Lead root cause and corrective action process associated with any escapes or contaminants identified in Vast manufacturing or the Vast supply chain
Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, technical excellence, proactivity, and attention to detail
Minimum Qualifications
Masters degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
5+ years in materials, process, or quality engineering for metal products in a production environment, with hands-on RCCA on material or process issues
Working knowledge of metallurgy, heat treatment, common metal defects, forging, extrusion, casting, welding, surface and finishing processes, or NDE
Experience reading and applying AMS, ASTM, and drawing-callout requirements
Preferred Skills & Experience
Advanced degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or Engineering
Proven record of owning RCCAs to verified closure and influencing suppliers to drive results
Hands-on failure analysis: fractography, metallography, SEM/EDS
Working knowledge of quality systems (ISO 9000, AS9100, NADCAP) and supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAI)
Familiarity with the standards the role will work with
AMS-STD-2154 and ASTM E2375 (UT, wrought)
ASTM A388 (heavy forgings)
ASTM E45 and E112 (inclusions, grain size)
AMS 2759 and 2750 (heat treatment, pyrometry)
AMS 2700 and ASTM B912 (passivation, electropolishing)
MIL-A-8625 (anodizing)
AMS 2430 (shot peening)
Experience applying statistical methods (MSA, DOE, hypothesis testing, Cpk) and disciplined problem solving (8D, fault tree, Ishikawa, Six Sigma)
Experience with additive manufacturing, EB and fusion welding metallurgy, fracture mechanics, or damage tolerance
Experience with MES and PLM systems, alongside Google suite, SQL, and Python
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment and across a matrix of functions
Strong written and verbal communication, able to convey 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.
