Quality Inspection Specialist

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next‑generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware‑rich and low‑cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi‑module Haven Station.

Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven‑1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all‑in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time.

If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a Quality Inspection Specialist
, reporting to the E‑2 Principal Engineer
, to create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers, while optimizing for production and low cost. In this role, you will join a team with exciting momentum that has produced and successfully tested fully integrated engine development samples. You will be a key member who will help transition the system from development to production.

This will be a full‑time, non‑exempt position located in our Hawthorne location.

• Define and execute quality methodologies to support full product traceability
• Hands on dimensional inspection skills using mechanical tools
• CMM programming skills
• Collaborate with responsible engineers, manufacturing engineers and technicians to review designs and drawings
• Assess, define, improve and communicate in‑house inspection capabilities
• Identify and track manufacturing non‑conformities and proactively work with manufacturing and engineering to address them
• Develop, approve and execute process inspection controls to regulate acceptance of critical characteristics.
• Use expertise to contribute to the prevention of defects and non‑conformities, ultimately reducing the likelihood of recalls and/or customer complaints.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing quality data, identifying trends, and implementing corrective and preventive actions to enhance the overall quality of our products and reduce costs.
• Create and define technical and quality requirements based on customer and program requirements and expectations for NPI and manufacturing phases.
• Effectively apply root cause analysis, FMEA, Cause Mapping, Cause & Effect diagrams and structured RCCA to drive corrective action.
• Recommend technical product improvements to reduce risk and potential defect opportunities and provide feedback as appropriate on manufacturing methods and technologies.

• 5+ years experience with demand fast paced company working on quality, manufacturing or responsible engineer role

• Expert knowledge and experience in GD&T, CMM, MSA, Tooling, AS9100, AS9102, AS9103.
• Proficient in Blueprint Reading and First Article Inspection (FAI) and interpretation of Engineering Process Specifications.
• Certified Black / Green belt lean and Six‑sigma quality engineering methodologies.
• Experience with Quality Management Systems (ISO 9000 / AS9100 / AS6500 / NADCAP).
• Experience in statistical controls and methods (e.g. MSA, GR&R, Design of Experiments, Six Sigma, etc.).
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced environment.
• Effective written, verbal and presentation communication skills.
• Experience with NDT.

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

• Quality Inspection Specialist I: $41.00 - $59.00
• Quality Inspection Specialist II: $45.00 - $62.00

Pay Range:
California $41—$62 USD

Base salary will vary depending on job‑related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive…