Senior Build Reliability Engineer (Structures) Verified today
Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure. Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches in 2027. You will support the reliability of vehicle integration and test operations across the product lifecycle for our human-rated space stations.
This is a full-time, exempt position located in Long Beach, California.
What you will do
- Own Build Reliability for piece part fabrication and structural sub-assemblies, setting expectations for reliability, manufacturability, and build and flight readiness, and ensuring lessons are learned and applied to future programs.
- Enable successful introduction of new products to production, ensuring designs are manufacturable, requirements are valid and verifiable, measurement systems and processes are capable and efficient, and work instructions, equipment, tooling, and personnel are ready to achieve rate reliably.
- Mature manufacturing and verification processes by improving process controls, tooling, measurement methods, data collection, work instructions, and training.
- Collect and analyze build data to identify risk and recurring issues. Lead build quality reviews, generate data-driven recommendations to prevent issues and quality escapes, and effectively implement them in collaboration with partner teams.
- Ensure off-nominal work is performed and documented reliably. Provide leadership and technical direction for high-visibility issues, establishing recovery plans and aligning operations, quality, and engineering on execution. Partner with Mission Assurance to ensure risks are escalated and properly mitigated across Vast.
- Lead containment and root-cause investigation of high-impact issues. Ensure implementation and verification of corrective actions that address root cause and systemic contributors.
- Lead cost-of-quality reduction initiatives that simplify requirements, leverage part and feature criticality to streamline inspection, improve design standards, and strengthen process controls to prevent non-conformances at the source.
What we need
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent experience
- 1+ years of experience in manufacturing, design, quality, reliability, or related roles (internship experience qualifies)
- Fluency in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in fast-paced environments
Preferred experience
- Direct experience with machining and post-processing (deburring, coating, precision cleaning)
- Drilling, fastening, welding, and assembly manufacturing processes
- Complex mechanical and structural assemblies
- Additive manufacturing
- Precision dimensional inspection methods such as coordinate measuring machines (CMM) and laser measuring systems
- Data analysis tools or basic statistical methods
- Quality systems and standards (ISO 9001, AS9100)
- Aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments
Requirements
- Ability to travel up to 5%
- Ability to support mission-critical events outside normal working hours
Compensation
- Build Reliability Engineer I: $86,000 to $122,000
- Build Reliability Engineer II: $122,000 to $159,000
Salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off (20+ days vacation for exempt staff); paid parental leave; disability and life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; mental healthcare; and onsite meals (free snacks, coffee, drinks, and dinner; subsidized lunch).
You must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62, which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and asylees and refugees with such status granted.