Director, Sub Assemblies Manufacturing

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 188,660 - 267,720; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off and vacation policy

Meals on site and on-site perks

Job summary

Vast is seeking a Director of Sub Assemblies Manufacturing in Long Beach to lead the development and production readiness of critical mechanical, thermal, and life-support subassemblies for human-rated space stations. You will shape manufacturing strategy, drive cross-functional execution, and scale facilities and processes for high-reliability hardware.

You will own design for manufacturability, prototype-to-production transitions, and supplier strategy while building high-performing teams and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• 10+ years in manufacturing engineering or production leadership with 8+ years leading people.
• Experience manufacturing complex mechanical assemblies and high-reliability systems.
• Proven DFM, production readiness, and prototype-to-production transitions.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the manufacturing strategy for mechanical subassemblies, Thermal Control Systems (TCS), and Environmental Control & Life Support Systems (ECLSS).
• Lead cross-functional manufacturing execution across engineering, quality, supply chain, and test to drive production readiness.
• Translate program requirements and build cadence into manufacturing operating models and capacity roadmaps.
• Drive DFM, DFA, and DFT through early engagement with engineering and interfaces.
• Own prototype-to-production transitions and establish manufacturing work centers.
• Develop make/buy strategies and determine outsourcing needs for subassemblies.
• Establish manufacturing quality standards and compliance with AS9100 and NASA requirements.
• Drive manufacturing performance using MES, Jira, Tableau, and metrics.
• Lead continuous improvement across assembly, tubing, and thermal systems.
• Build and develop manufacturing teams and establish operating rhythm.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

DFM / DFA / DFT

Lean manufacturing

Regulated manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD

PLM

MES/ERP

Jira

Job description

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(n) Director, Sub Assemblies Manufacturing, reporting to the Vice President of Manufacturing, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time,exempt position located in ourLong Beach location.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the manufacturing strategy for mechanical subassemblies, Thermal Control Systems (TCS), and Environmental Control & Life Support Systems (ECLSS), aligning manufacturing capability with spacecraft performance, build schedules, and mission objectives.
• Lead cross-functional manufacturing execution across engineering, quality, supply chain, and test to drive production readiness, resolve manufacturing constraints, and enable successful hardware delivery.
• Translate program requirements and build cadence into manufacturing operating models, resource plans, factory layouts, work center architecture, and capacity roadmaps.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) through early engagement with engineering, influencing product architecture, interface definitions, test access, tolerance schemes, and manufacturing risk before release.
• Own prototype-to-production transitions by establishing manufacturing work centers, qualifying tooling and processes, developing production documentation, and enabling repeatable flight hardware production.
• Develop make/buy strategies and manufacturing capability roadmaps, determining which subassemblies, fabrication processes, and test operations should be vertically integrated versus outsourced.
• Establish manufacturing quality standards and production readiness gates, ensuring compliance with AS9100, NASA human-rated requirements, and disciplined configuration control throughout the hardware lifecycle.
• Drive manufacturing performance through digital production systems and data analytics, leveraging MES, Jira, Tableau, and operational metrics to improve throughput, yield, nonconformance resolution, and factory performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across mechanical assembly, tubing, thermal systems, and ECLSS manufacturing by applying lean principles, standard work, and production system optimization to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing manufacturing engineering, test engineering, and technician organizations while establishing the manufacturing culture, operating rhythm, and technical standards required to scale future spacecraft production.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience leading manufacturing engineering or production organizations responsible for complex hardware from development through production, including 8+ years of people leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise manufacturing complex mechanical assemblies, fluid systems, thermal hardware, tubing, or other high-reliability electromechanical systems.
• Proven experience driving Design for Manufacturability (DFM), production readiness, manufacturing process development, and prototype-to-production transitions.
• Experience building and scaling manufacturing organizations, including work center design, production ramp, capacity planning, and cross-functional execution with engineering, quality, and supply chain.
• Working knowledge of regulated manufacturing systems (AS9100, NASA, or equivalent), manufacturing documentation, inspection methods, contamination control, and production test.
• Experience applying lean manufacturing principles and modern manufacturing systems (CAD, PLM, MES/ERP, or similar) to improve quality, throughput, and operational performance.
• Strong technical judgment, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to influence engineering decisions and solve complex manufacturing challenges.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience standing up new manufacturing capabilities, factories, or production lines from early development through sustained production.
• Experience supporting spacecraft, launch vehicle, aviation, defense, energy, automotive, or other highly regulated hardware manufacturing environments.
• Experience developing make/buy strategies, supplier qualification plans, and vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizations through ambiguity, shifting program priorities, and aggressive development schedules while maintaining execution.
• Track record of building high-performing manufacturing engineering teams and developing future technical and people leaders.
• Experience driving digital manufacturing initiatives, automation, advanced manufacturing technologies, or factory modernization efforts.

Additional Requirements

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

Pay Range: California $188,660 - $267,720 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

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 compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.