Lead TCS Manufacturing Engineer (Equity)

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Equity

Job summary

Vast in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Thermal Control Systems (TCS) to lead the team responsible for development, production and integration of thermal hardware for artificial‑gravity space stations.

This full‑time role emphasizes hands‑on leadership, manufacturing readiness, process development, and close collaboration with design engineering, quality, and supply chain; a bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in related hardware manufacturing are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science.
• 5+ years in manufacturing engineering, production engineering, or hardware development for fluid, thermal, environmental control, or life support systems.
• 3+ years of hands‑on hardware experience supporting fabrication, assembly, integration, and/or testing.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, build plans, or production documentation for complex hardware.
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading a workstream, build, or small team (formal people management experience not required).

Responsibilities

• Lead the TCS manufacturing engineering team day to day: set priorities, assign ownership, run team rhythms, and mentor engineers.
• Own manufacturing development, production readiness, and build execution for TCS hardware, including pumps, fluid loops, coldplates, heaters, and tubing, while staying hands‑on with your own hardware.
• Own the TCS manufacturing schedule and build sequencing across concurrent vehicle builds.
• Report hardware status, risks, and mitigation plans to program leadership, including a regular company‑wide TCS hardware status update.
• Partner with design engineering to drive design for manufacturing and assembly and production readiness from early design trades through flight hardware.
• Drive development and qualification of special processes including welding, brazing, tube bending, cleaning, passivation, leak testing, and pressure testing.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing engineering

Hardware development

Design for manufacturing

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

FEMAP

ANSYS

Job description

Vast in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Thermal Control Systems (TCS) to lead the team responsible for development, production and integration of thermal hardware for artificial‑gravity space stations.

This full‑time role emphasizes hands‑on leadership, manufacturing readiness, process development, and close collaboration with design engineering, quality, and supply chain; a bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in related hardware manufacturing are required.