The posting, in Vast's own words
archived Sep 10, 2026Vast 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, Environmental Control and Life Support Systems , reporting to the Senior Manager, ECLSS Manufacturing , to support the development, production, and integration of the systems required for human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. This role is focused on the fluid systems at the core of ECLSS: water, air, thermal, and pressurized gas hardware. You will be on the floor for first builds, defining how new hardware gets built, documenting it, and then making it repeatable for the Haven modules that follow.
Responsibilities:
Execute build, assembly, and integration of ECLSS fluid hardware on the shop floor alongside technicians, from first article through flight hardware Author, redline, and maintain work instructions, assembly procedures, build travelers, and inspection plans for assigned ECLSS assemblies Own manufacturing process definition for assigned hardware, including tube bending and routing, fitting installation and torque, brazed and welded joint call-outs, cleaning, passivation, and assembly Support proof, leak, and functional testing of fluid assemblies, including test setup, instrumentation, data collection, and post-test disposition Identify design for manufacturing and design for assembly issues during first builds and drive them back into the design with ECLSS Design Engineering Disposition nonconformances and support root cause investigation and corrective action with Quality Engineering Define, design, and procure tooling, fixtures, and handling hardware required to execute assigned builds safely and repeatably Perform fit checks, interpret GD&T, and support tolerance stack-up analysis to resolve build issues Track build progress, part shortages, and schedule for assigned hardware, and escalate risks early Train technicians on new processes and drive first-pass yield, build time, and scrap improvements with data Support supplier manufacturing readiness for externally produced ECLSS components and assemblies
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Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in an engineering or science discipline Manufacturing Engineer I: 0-2 years of experience in manufacturing, production, test, or hardware development engineering. Strong internship, co-op, or project team experience will be considered Manufacturing Engineer II: 2+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or test engineering for fluid, thermal, environmental control, or other high-reliability hardware
Preferred Skills & Experience:
Master's degree in an engineering discipline Hands-on experience with fluid or pressurized gas hardware: tube bending and routing, AN/MS/VCR fittings, brazed and welded joints, valves, pumps, heat exchangers, filters, fans, and separators Demonstrated hands-on hardware experience supporting fabrication, assembly, integration, and/or testing Working knowledge of fluid system fundamentals, including pressure drop, flow, sealing, leak paths, and cleanliness Experience supporting a first build or first article of new hardware, not only sustaining an established production line Experience with high pressure fluid and gas testing, including proof, burst, pressure decay, helium mass spectrometry leak testing, and functional testing Experience with oxygen-clean or precision-clean fluid hardware and cleanliness verification methods Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, build plans, or production documentation for complex hardware Solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, tolerance stack-up analysis, and inspection planning Experience with NX and with PLM or MES systems Knowledge of metallic and fluid system manufacturing special processes, including machining, welding, brazing, tube bending, cleaning, passivation, leak testing, proof testing, and pressure testing Proactive problem-solving skills, including failure analysis, root cause investigation, and corrective action implementation Experience working directly with technicians on the shop floor to troubleshoot builds, improve processes, and execute hardware efficiently Experience in aerospace, spacecraft, propulsion, ECLSS, thermal, fluid, or other high-reliability hardware environments Ability to work well in an integrated, collaborative team environment, including frequent interaction with technicians, engineers, quality, supply chain, and managers Highly self-motivated with strong organizational and written/oral communication skills; able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment with an ongoing drive for continuous improvement