Manufacturing Engineer - Propulsion

Vast is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer, Propulsion, reporting to the Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Propulsion, to own components and subassemblies and support the development, production, and integration of propulsion and pressurization hardware for artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities

• Support the propulsion manufacturing engineering team day to day: execute against priorities set by the Lead, communicate status and blockers, and share knowledge with peers
• Contribute to team onboarding and knowledge sharing; at E3, informally mentor newer engineers
• Own manufacturing development, production readiness, and build execution for assigned propulsion and pressurization hardware (typically 1-2 components or subassemblies), including valves, regulators, tubing, ducting, manifolds, COPVs, fittings, and instrumentation, working hands-on on the floor
• Support the propulsion manufacturing schedule and build sequencing across development, qualification, and flight builds for owned hardware
• Report hardware status, risks, and mitigation plans for owned hardware to the Lead and cross-functional partners
• Partner with propulsion and systems design teams to drive design for manufacturing and manufacturing readiness
• Develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes and production equipment with increasing independence by level, including welding, brazing, tube fabrication, precision cleaning, and proof and leak testing
• Work with suppliers on manufacturing readiness, including review of supplier processes and documentation
• Partner with quality engineering to define inspection methods, acceptance criteria, and process controls for safety-critical fluid components
• Uphold a strong safety and quality culture for high-pressure and hazardous fluid hardware

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering, or a related discipline
• Manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, propulsion, or high-reliability fluid systems (E1: 0-2 years; E2: 2-4 years; E3: 5+ years; internships and co-ops count toward E1)
• Hands-on hardware experience supporting fabrication, assembly, integration, and/or testing of fluid system hardware (internship, co-op, or project-based experience acceptable)
• Experience, or demonstrated ability to learn quickly, developing manufacturing processes, travelers, work instructions, and production documentation for safety-critical hardware
• Working knowledge of CAD tools (e.g., Siemens NX) with the ability to review designs, generate manufacturing documentation, and support assembly or test tooling design
• Ability to own a component, subassembly, or workstream and drive it to completion with increasing independence by level
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends as needed to support critical propulsion testing and mission milestones

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience leading a project or workstream, or mentoring interns or newer engineers
• Experience with manufacturing and assembly of high-pressure or hazardous fluid systems, including propellant feed, pressurization, venting, and purge systems
• Strong understanding of propulsion fluid system manufacturing, including tube fabrication, welding, brazing, precision cleaning, and assembly processes
• Hands-on experience testing, troubleshooting, and qualifying propulsion or fluid components, including proof, leak, and functional testing
• Experience integrating COPVs, valves, regulators, and instrumentation into flight systems
• Experience developing and qualifying production equipment, assembly tooling, and test tooling
• Strong GD&T knowledge and experience creating and reviewing engineering drawings
• Experience with Siemens NX
• Experience reviewing and approving supplier manufacturing processes and documentation
• Proven problem-solving skills with hands-on root cause analysis and corrective and preventive action experience
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and the ability to work effectively with propulsion, systems, test, and quality teams
• High attention to detail and a strong ownership mindset for safety-critical hardware

Pay Range: 

• Manufacturing Engineer I, Propulsion:  $86,100.00 - $122,220.00
• Manufacturing Engineer II, Propulsion: $112,340.00 - $159,468.00
• Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Propulsion: $137,760.00 - $195,552.00