VAST

Develops artificial gravity space stations

NDE Inspector Level 2

Inspection & TestUpdated on Nov 10

Full-timeLong Beach, CA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required; a technical certification or Associate degree is preferred.
Current NDE Level II certification in one or more inspection methods in accordance with ASNT, NAS410, or equivalent standards is required.
Current RT Level II certification is required; experience with digital and computed radiography is strongly preferred.
IRRSP certification is preferred; candidates hired without it must obtain certification within 3 months of hire.
A minimum of 3–5 years of hands-on NDE experience within aerospace, manufacturing, or a related industry is required.
Strong understanding of NDE principles and applicable ASTM, ASME, AWS, and NAS410 requirements is required.
Ability to learn and operate Digital Radiography equipment and inspection software is required.
Strong technical judgment, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability are required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
Ability to work independently while supporting a team-oriented environment is required.
Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones is required.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds unassisted and climb into confined spaces is required.

Responsibilities

Perform nondestructive inspections using qualified methods such as Radiographic Testing (RT), Visual Testing (VT), Penetrant Testing (PT), Eddy Current Testing (ET), or other certified methods as assigned.
Perform radiographic inspections on components, assemblies, and weldments to identify and evaluate discontinuities.
Interpret and evaluate radiographic images in accordance with applicable engineering requirements, specifications, codes, standards, and procedures.
Set up, calibrate, and operate radiographic equipment, digital radiography (DR) systems, and associated software.
Prepare accurate inspection reports and maintain complete inspection documentation.
Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to resolve inspection findings and support production objectives.
Follow radiation safety requirements and company Environmental Health & Safety policies.
Assist with developing and improving NDE procedures, work instructions, and inspection processes.
Support continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining compliance with customer, regulatory, and company quality requirements.
Train and mentor junior inspectors and contractors as needed.
Support cross-functional NDE activities based on production priorities.

Desired Qualifications

Additional NDE Level II certifications in line with ASNT TC-1A, NAS-410, or DOD guidance in Eddy Current (ET), Radiography (RT), Digital Radiography (DR), Dye Penetrant (PT), Visual Inspection (VT), Computed Radiography (CR), Ultrasonic (UT), Ultrasonic Shear Wave (UTSW), or Magnetic Particle (MT) are preferred.
Operational experience using one of the listed NDE methods to inspect weldments is preferred.
Radiation Safety Officer experience is a plus.
Experience performing NDE testing within the aerospace industry is preferred.
American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is preferred.
Basic computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft applications including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel are preferred.
Experience inspecting advanced materials such as high-strength aluminum alloys, precipitation-hardened steels, Inconel, Monel, titanium, and maraging steel (super alloys) is preferred.
Knowledge of NASA 5009 standards is preferred.
Knowledge of AMS, AWS/ASME, and ASTM standards is preferred.
Experience with problem-solving tools and techniques, including practical problem solving (PPS) and eight disciplines (8D), is preferred.
Basic understanding of Lean principles, including 5S, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives, is preferred.

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 second shift NDE Level II Inspector, reporting to the Supervisor, NDE to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, non- exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities

Perform nondestructive inspections using qualified methods such as Radiographic Testing (RT), Visual Testing (VT), Penetrant Testing (PT), Eddy Current Testing (ET), or other certified methods as assigned.
Perform radiographic inspections on components, assemblies, and weldments to identify and evaluate discontinuities.
Interpret and evaluate radiographic images in accordance with applicable engineering requirements, specifications, codes, standards, and procedures.
Set up, calibrate, and operate radiographic equipment, digital radiography (DR) systems, and associated software.
Prepare accurate inspection reports and maintain complete inspection documentation.
Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to resolve inspection findings and support production objectives.
Follow all radiation safety requirements and company Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) policies.
Assist with developing and improving NDE procedures, work instructions, and inspection processes.
Support continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining compliance with customer, regulatory, and company quality requirements.
Train and mentor junior inspectors and contractors as needed.
Support cross-functional NDE activities based on production priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification or Associate degree preferred.
Current NDE Level II certification in one or more inspection methods in accordance with ASNT, NAS410, or equivalent standards.
Current RT Level II certification is required experience with digital and computed radiography is strongly preferred.
Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Personnel (IRRSP) certification is preferred. Candidates hired without IRRSP certification must obtain certification within 3 months of hire.
Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on NDE experience within aerospace, manufacturing, or a related industry.
Strong understanding of NDE principles, applicable ASTM, ASME, AWS, and NAS410 requirements.
Ability to learn and operate Digital Radiography equipment and inspection software.
Strong technical judgment, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently while supporting a team-oriented environment.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Additional nondestructive evaluation Level II certifications in line with ASNT TC-1A, NAS-410, or DOD guidance in one of the following methods: Eddy current (ET), radiography (RT), digital radiography (DR), dye penetrant (PT), visual inspection (VT), computed radiography (CR), ultrasonic (UT), ultrasonic shear wave (UTSW), or magnetic particle (MT)
Operational experience using one of the listed NDE methods for the inspection of weldments
Radiation Safety Officer experience is a BIG Plus
Experience performing NDE testing within the aerospace industry
American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
Basic computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft applications including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
Experience inspecting advanced materials such as high strength aluminum alloys, precipitation hardened steels, inconel, monel, titanium, and maraging steel (super alloys)
Knowledge of NASA 5009 standards
Knowledge of AMS, AWS/ASME, ASTM, standards
Experience with problem solving tools and techniques including: practical problem solving (PPS), and eight disciplines (8D)
Basic understanding of Lean principles: 5S, Kaizen, continuous improvement initiative

Additional Requirements:

Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Ability to climb into confined spaces

Pay Range: California

$38.36—$54.45 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.

Pay Range: California 38.36 - 54.45 USD

About the Company

VAST

Develops artificial gravity space stations

Vast Space builds artificial gravity space stations to enable long-term human life in space. Its approach uses large rotating habitats that generate centrifugal force to mimic Earth's gravity, helping astronauts stay healthy during extended missions. The company designs, tests, demonstrates, services, and manufactures space infrastructure and customizable habitat modules for government space agencies, private aerospace companies, and research institutions that operate in lunar, Martian, or deep-space missions. Unlike others, Vast Space focuses on end-to-end artificial gravity solutions and ongoing support, not just concepts, and targets contracts that provide sustainable space habitats for science, exploration, and colonization efforts. The overall goal is to expand humanity’s reach across the solar system by creating scalable, gravity-enabled habitats that enable safe, long-term presence in space while protecting Earth's ecosystem.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: Series A
Total funding: $500M
Headquarters: Long Beach, CA
Founded: 2021

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