Manufacturing Engineer - Thermal Control Systems

Vast is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer, Thermal Control Systems, to help develop the systems behind our human-rated space stations. You'll use your engineering knowledge and creativity to design, build, and test novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology.

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

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for environmental and thermal control systems, balancing efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness
• Design, fabricate, and activate ground support equipment and test articles in partnership with technicians, with an emphasis on pressurized ground systems
• Operate, troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and modify manufacturing and test equipment spanning vacuum to 20,000 psig, including pneumatic, hydraulic, oxygen, refrigerant, and data/control systems
• Author and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions for consistent and accurate production of TCS hardware
• Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of components to ensure compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards
• Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges through root cause analysis and corrective action
• Collaborate with design teams to provide design-for-manufacturability, assembly, and test feedback on thermal and environmental hardware (e.g., tubing, heat exchangers, cold plates, pumps, fans, valves, heaters, filters, MLI)
• Partner with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of high-quality components, including reviewing and approving supplier manufacturing processes
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to establish and uphold rigorous quality control processes
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and elevate product quality
• Understanding of fluid systems, tube manufacturing processes, and assembly techniques

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing or electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field
• 2 + years of manufacturing experience managing a product/product line across multiple work centers and/or departments, fluid, pressurized, propulsion, or environmental control hardware in design, manufacturing, or test
• 2-4+ years of experience for Manufacturing Engineer II
• 4-6+ years of experience for Senior Manufacturing Engineer
• Hands-on fabrication, assembly, and/or integration experience; CAD proficiency (NX preferred)
• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., Siemens NX) and the ability to review designs, generate manufacturing documentation, and design assembly or test tooling

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Hands-on experience building or testing hardware, in industry or through student teams such as Formula SAE, rocketry, CubeSat, or robotics
• Experience with aerospace, spacecraft, propulsion, or other safety-critical or high-reliability hardware
• Experience taking designs or processes from concept through build or test, and from R&D to production
• Familiarity with CAD tools, ideally Siemens NX, and PLM tools such as Teamcenter
• Exposure to thermal or structural analysis using Ansys, or similar tools
• Awareness of aerospace workmanship, design, and environmental test standards such as IPC, SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001, or MIL-STD-810
• Proficiency applying GD&T
• Strong problem-solving skills, including troubleshooting and structured root cause analysis
• Strong attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to work well in cross-functional teams
• Senior Level: experience mentoring engineers or technicians and managing multiple projects at once

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Ranges:

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