Integration Build Engineer

Vast; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Equity

Paid time off

Parental leave

401(k) plan

Onsite meals

Job summary

Vast is seeking an Integration Build Engineer to join the Hawthorne team and help create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers. You will work with Engineering Responsible Engineers and Technicians to transfer designs into manufacturable assembly processes.

The role emphasizes hands‑on integration, process planning, and continuous improvement on the shop floor, with exposure to CAD tools (Siemens NX) and GD&T.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, preferably in aerospace.
• HHands-on hardware integration and testing experience.
• Experience writing test plans, procedures, presentations, and go/no‑go judgments.

Responsibilities

• Support engine assembly operations with Integration Technicians and supporting Engineers.
• Hands-on collaboration with the design team to transfer knowledge and provide input on manufacturability and assembly processes for E‑2 engine.
• Create and iterate engine assembly and disassembly process plans.
• Be a permanent engineering presence to ensure operations are unblocked and to find solutions to keep work moving if blockers or Non Conformances arise.
• Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent and accurate production.
• Ensure integration procedures are continuously evolving to reflect the most efficient assembly practices.
• Perform hands‑on assembly, integration, and testing of components, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards.
• Specify and procure dedicated manufacturing tools and equipment.
• Implement continuous improvements on the shop floor to increase productivity.

Skills

Hands-on hardware integration

Cross‑functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Test planning/writing

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Aerospace

Tools

Siemens NX

Job description

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

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 required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long‑term space economy.

Vast is looking for an Integration Build Engineer, reporting to the Vice President of E-2, 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, exempt position located in our Hawthorne location.

Responsibilities

• Support engine assembly operations with Integration Technicians and supporting Engineering Responsible Engineers
• Hands on collaboration with the design team to transfer knowledge and provide input on the manufacturability and assembly processes for E‑2 engine
• Create and iterate engine assembly and disassembly process plans
• Be a permanent engineering presence to ensure operations are unblocked and to find solutions to keep work moving if blockers or Non Conformances arise
• Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent and accurate production
• Ensure integration procedures are continuously evolving to reflect the most efficient assembly practices
• Perform hands‑on assembly, integration, and testing of components, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards
• Specify and procure dedicated manufacturing and tools and equipment
• Implement continuous improvements on the shop floor to increase productivity

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 2+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, preferably in aerospace
• Hands on hardware integration and testing experience
• Experience with working with technicians and running multi‑person operations
• Experience writing test plans, procedures, presentations, and providing go/no‑go judgment and rationale

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams
• Proficiency in CAD software (such as Siemens NX) for reviewing designs and creating manufacturing documentation
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high‑quality work
• Strong GD&T skills, and experience creating and reviewing drawings
• Strong understanding of fluid systems, tube manufacturing processes, welding and assembly techniques
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to perform root cause analysis
• Hands‑on experience with testing and troubleshooting fluid components is desirable

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted

Pay Range

• Integration Build Engineer I: $86,100 - $122,220
• Integration Build Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468
• Senior Integration Build Engineer: $137,760 - $195,552

Pay Range: California

$86,000—$195,000 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

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 asylee 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.