NDE Level III, Specialist

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026.

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 currently seeking a Non-Destructive Evaluation PAUT Specialist, reporting to the Manager of NDE. The primary role of this position will be to support the development of systems necessary for the design and construction of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. The team is dedicated to delivering high-quality products through rigorous inspection of our flight components, assemblies, systems, and structures. As an NDE Level III Specialist, you will have the opportunity for extensive exposure, as the organization handles a wide range of NDT methodologies and inspections across our various space programs.

This is a full-time exempt position, based at our Long Beach location.

Key Responsibilities:

As the Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) Level III, you will serve as both a technical leader and hands-on practitioner. You will be responsible for establishing and managing NDE capabilities while driving continuous improvement across inspection processes.

• Develop, implement, and maintain NDE procedures and PAUT inspection techniques in accordance with ASNT SNT-TC-1A, NAS-410, and other relevant codes and customer specifications.
• Administer the company’s NDE program, including oversight of processes, procedures, personnel certification, and compliance with internal and external quality standards.
• Serve as the final authority on interpretation of NDE-related specifications and acceptability of test results.
• Conduct internal audits and ensure quality assurance compliance across all NDE functions.
• Interface with internal teams and external customers to clarify inspection requirements and resolve technical disputes.

Training, Certification & Team Support

• Develop, recommend, and lead training programs for Level I and Level II personnel in both classroom and shop floor settings.
• Mentor technicians on conventional UT, PAUT, VT, PT, MT, RT, and ET methods, emphasizing appropriate application and limitations of each.
• Oversee personnel qualification and certification per written practice.
• Ensure knowledge transfer of current methods and integration of emerging technologies.

Hands-On Inspection & Technical Execution

• Perform advanced inspections—including PAUT—as needed to support production, R&D, or urgent customer deliverables.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings and specifications to define inspection strategy and ensure manufacturing compliance.
• Evaluate and document inspection results; communicate findings clearly to Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams.
• Troubleshoot and correct technical issues in inspection methods or interpretation, ensuring effective process flow.

Process Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Research, recommend, and implement new inspection tools, automation, and data systems to improve throughput and reduce cost.
• Drive strategic improvements in inspection techniques, data analysis, and system integration to enable next-generation manufacturing processes.
• Continuously evaluate existing NDE processes to ensure optimal inspection strategies are in use and scalable for growth.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align inspection capabilities with evolving product demands, ensuring appropriate methods are applied throughout the lifecycle.

Customer & Cross-Team Communication

• Act as the primary NDE liaison with customers, regulatory bodies, and vendors as needed.
• Participate in supplier visits and customer audits to support inspection deliverables and quality assurance.
• Provide regular updates on NDE project status, capability readiness, and program risks to stakeholders.
• Advise management on innovations and…