Manufacturing Engineering, Thermal Control

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and capital-efficient approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to support a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and supporting a growing space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to design, build, and operate its own spacecraft in orbit.

Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo:
Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer, Thermal Control Systems, to help develop the systems behind our human-rated space stations. You'll use your engineering knowledge and creativity to design, build, and test novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach, CA location. Responsibilities:
Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for environmental and thermal control systems, balancing efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness

Design, fabricate, and activate ground support equipment and test articles in partnership with technicians, with an emphasis on pressurized ground systems

Operate, troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and modify manufacturing and test equipment spanning vacuum to 20,000 psig, including pneumatic, hydraulic, oxygen, refrigerant, and data/control systems

Author and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions for consistent and accurate production of TCS hardware

Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of components to ensure compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards

Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges through root cause analysis and corrective action

Collaborate with design teams to provide design-for-manufacturability, assembly, and test feedback on thermal and environmental hardware (e.g., tubing, heat exchangers, cold plates, pumps, fans, valves, heaters, filters, MLI)
Partner with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of high-quality components, including reviewing and approving supplier manufacturing processes

Collaborate with quality assurance teams to establish and uphold rigorous quality control processes

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and elevate product quality

Understanding of fluid systems, tube manufacturing processes, and assembly techniques

Minimum Qualifications:

B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing or electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field2 + years of manufacturing experience managing a product/product line across multiple work centers and/or departments, fluid, pressurized, propulsion, or environmental control hardware in design, manufacturing, or test2-4+ years of experience for Manufacturing Engineer II4-6+ years of experience for Senior…