Manufacturing Planner, Avionics Manufacturing

Socket.dev; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Vast in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Manufacturing Planner (Avionics) to develop production schedules, forecast demand, and optimize capacity for space-grade hardware.

You will coordinate with procurement, engineering, and quality teams to maintain on-time delivery, minimize inventory, and drive continuous improvement across avionics manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2+ years experience in manufacturing planning, scheduling, or operations management.
• Proficiency with ERP/MES; SQL and Tableau for data insight.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain production schedules, demand forecasts, resource availability, and capacity analysis.
• Coordinate with procurement and supply chain to ensure timely material availability.
• Monitor inventory levels and identify bottlenecks or delays.
• Communicate deadlines and status to engineering and leadership.
• Collaborate with engineering and quality assurance to ensure adherence to specs.

Skills

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

SQL

Tableau

ERP systems

MES

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 Manufacturing Planner, Avionics Manufacturing reporting to the Manager, Avionics Manufacturing Operations, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. Join the team as we help manufacture the world's first private space station.

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

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain production schedules, demand forecasts, resource availability, and capacity analysis
• Coordinate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure timely availability of materials and components required for manufacturing
• Analyze internal and external capacity and identify bottlenecks or constraints
• Monitor inventory levels of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods
• Implement strategies to minimize excess inventory while ensuring continuity of production
• Communicate to engineering and leadership with no later than release dates for manufacturing deadlines
• Coordinate with engineering and quality assurance teams to ensure adherence to specifications and standards
• Monitor production progress and identify deviations from the schedule
• Take corrective actions to mitigate delays and maintain on-time delivery
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains
• Implement best practices to enhance manufacturing processes and reduce lead times
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, procurement, engineering, and logistics to align on plans and resolve issues

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 2+ years experience in manufacturing planning, scheduling, or operations management

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams are crucial for success in this role
• Working knowledge of database query and visualization software such as SQL, Tableau, etc.
• Understanding of Quality Management in aerospace manufacturing
• Proficiency in using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
• Committed to continuous improvement and a willingness to embrace new technologies, methodologies, and best practices

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work late & weekends on an as needed basis to support critical milestones

Pay Range: California $67,000—$108,000 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 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.