Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Propulsion Verified today

About the role

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using a low-cost, hardware-rich approach. Haven Demo became the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft in 2025. Haven-1 is expected to launch in 2027 as the world's first commercial space station.

You will lead the propulsion manufacturing engineering team responsible for developing, producing, and integrating propulsion and pressurization hardware for artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. You will report to the Manager, Structures & Fluids Manufacturing.

What you will do

• Lead the propulsion manufacturing engineering team day to day: set priorities, assign ownership, run team rhythms, and mentor engineers
• Participate in hiring and onboarding new engineers to the team
• Own manufacturing development, production readiness, and build execution for propulsion and pressurization hardware, including valves, regulators, tubing, ducting, manifolds, COPVs, fittings, and instrumentation, while staying hands-on with your own hardware
• Own the propulsion manufacturing schedule and build sequencing across development, qualification, and flight builds
• Report hardware status, risks, and mitigation plans to program leadership
• Partner with propulsion and systems design teams to drive design for manufacturing and manufacturing readiness
• Develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes and production equipment, including welding, brazing, tube fabrication, precision cleaning, and proof and leak testing
• Work directly with suppliers on manufacturing readiness, including review and approval of supplier processes and documentation
• Partner with quality engineering to define inspection methods, acceptance criteria, and process controls for safety-critical fluid components
• Set a strong safety and quality culture for high-pressure and hazardous fluid hardware

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering, or a related discipline
• 5 or more years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, propulsion, or high-reliability fluid systems
• 3 or more years of hands-on hardware experience supporting fabrication, assembly, integration, and/or testing of fluid system hardware
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, travelers, work instructions, and production documentation for safety-critical fluid hardware
• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., Siemens NX) and the ability to review designs, generate manufacturing documentation, and design assembly or test tooling
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading a workstream, build, or small team (formal people management experience not required)
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends as needed to support critical propulsion testing and mission milestones

Preferred skills and experience

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience as a technical lead, project lead, or informal team lead on hardware programs
• Experience participating in hiring and interviewing engineers
• Strong interest in developing into a people manager
• 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

Compensation

Base salary: $136,120 to $193,224 USD, based on experience and demonstrated capability.

Full-time employees receive company equity and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff; paid parental leave; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; ClassPass credits; mental healthcare through Spring Health; free snacks, coffee, cold drinks, and dinner meals; and subsidized lunch.

Export control eligibility

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls. You must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. Section 120.62, which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and asylees and refugees with such status granted (not pending).