Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Vast is looking for a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Soft Goods, reporting to the VP of Manufacturing, 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, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Own the development and implementation of new product manufacturing processes for various soft goods (cargo bags, closeouts, protective blankets, etc.).
• Work closely with our Product Design and Supply Chain teams to ensure the highest level of quality for Vast's soft goods products.
• Responsible for meeting production targets (rate, delivery date, etc.).
• Work with interdisciplinary stakeholders such as Human Systems, Industrial Design, and Internal Medicine to ensure all materials and processes support a safe crewed mission.
• Lead manufacturing reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers.
• Ensure that all designs and systems are manufacturable and reliable.
• Coordinate with QA to lead root cause analysis (RCA) and issue resolution on soft goods manufacturing quality issues.
• Create and manage all operating procedures and control plans for the soft goods manufacturing team.
• Provide process design improvement ideas and collaborate with engineering resources to implement them while ensuring solutions achieve required quality levels, reliability, and consistency.
• Create/modify layouts, drawings, and designs supporting manufacturing operations.
• Incorporate engineering specifications into processes and manufacturing techniques.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 2+ years of experience working in a soft goods manufacturing environment, preferably for space applications.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Able to work well in an integrated, collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, 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 a drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work.
• Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to plan and execute R&D projects.
• Apply subject matter expertise to cutting-edge technical needs, iterate efficiently, and clearly articulate issues.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings and models; GD&T, etc.
• Knowledge of Lean and/or Six Sigma concepts.
• Experience with best-in-class soft goods manufacturing techniques.
• Proficiency and experience using NX and Teamcenter.
• Prior experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Willingness and desire to exemplify extreme ownership of flight-critical spacecraft systems.
• Proactive problem-solving skills such as failure analysis, root cause investigation, and DOE creation.
• Experience working with the design, analysis, and build of soft goods components.
• Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast, data-driven decisions.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Pay Range

• Manufacturing Engineer I: $85,000 - $105,000
• Manufacturing Engineer II: $100,000 - $132,000
• Senior Manufacturing Engineer: $120,000 - $160,000