Senior CNC Programmer — Precision Turning for Aerospace

Vast Space Llc.; Hawthorne (CA); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Equity

Job summary

Vast is hiring a Senior CNC Programmer in Hawthorne, CA to support the Launcher E-2 engine program. The role focuses on machining E-2 parts and tools using lathe turning and Mastercam, delivering precision fixtures and tooling for space hardware.

The candidate will design, fabricate, inspect, and maintain tools, while collaborating with engineers to meet stringent tolerances and production goals in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency.
• 6+ years experience in related machining role, 3+ years CAM with mill turn experience (lathe Y axis).
• Proficiency in Mastercam for turning centers.
• Experience with Fanuc controller and Doosan / DNM PUMA turning centers.
• Experience turning aerospace materials like Inconel 718, SS304, SS316, AL7075.

Responsibilities

• Proficiency in Mastercam for turning centers.
• Design, develop, and manufacture tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, molds, and other equipment required for production, ensuring they meet exacting specifications and tolerances.
• Choose appropriate materials for tool construction based on strength, durability, and compatibility with the manufacturing process.
• Interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical specifications to accurately create or modify tools.
• Inspect finished tools to verify accuracy, precision, and quality, making necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain existing tools to extend their lifespan and ensure continuous production operations.
• Work closely with design engineers, production managers, and other team members to ensure tools align with production requirements and goals.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and innovation in tool design and manufacturing techniques to enhance efficiency, safety, and product quality.
• Maintain comprehensive records of tool designs, modifications, maintenance procedures, and any troubleshooting activities.
• Adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines, promoting a safe working environment for yourself and your colleagues.

Skills

Mastercam turning centers

Lathe turning

GD&T

Drawings interpretation

Measurement & inspection

Machining tools

Problem solving

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Fanuc controllers

Doosan / DNM Puma turning centers

Milling machines

EDM machines

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 aSenior CNC Programmer, reporting to the E-2 Principal Engineer, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, non-exempt position located in our Hawthorne facility.

This role will specifically support theLauncher E-2 liquid rocket engine program. Vast has the ambitious goal for E-2 to be the world’s highest-performing engine for small launchers, optimized for mass production and low cost. You will be a key team member helping complete the development of our E-2 engine into a reliable, high-performance product.

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Programmer who works on lathe machines to join our team to machine E-2 parts and tools. You will play a crucial role in the development, fabrication, maintenance, and repair of various tools, jigs, and fixtures used in our production processes. Your precision, attention to detail, and ability to work with a variety of materials and machinery will contribute to the efficiency and quality of our manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities:

• Proficiency in Mastercam for turning centers.
• Design, develop, and manufacture tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, molds, and other equipment required for production, ensuring they meet exacting specifications and tolerances.
• Choose appropriate materials for tool construction based on factors such as strength, durability, and compatibility with the manufacturing process.
• Interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical specifications to accurately create or modify tools.
• Inspect finished tools to verify their accuracy, precision, and quality, making necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain existing tools to extend their lifespan and ensure continuous production operations.
• Work closely with design engineers, production managers, and other team members to ensure tools align with production requirements and goals.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and innovation in tool design and manufacturing techniques to enhance efficiency, safety, and product quality.
• Maintain comprehensive records of tool designs, modifications, maintenance procedures, and any troubleshooting activities.
• Adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines, promoting a safe working environment for yourself and your colleagues.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 6+ years experience in related machining role, 3+ years CAM with mill turn experience (lathe Y axis.)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with Fanuc controller and Doosan / DNM PUMA turning centers.
• Experience turning aerospace materials like Inconel 718, SS304, SS316, AL7075.
• Experience fixturing and turning metal additive manufacturing parts.
• Strong GD&T skills, and experience creating and reviewing drawings.
• Proficiency in operating a variety of machine tools, including lathes, mills, grinders, and EDM machines.
• Meticulous attention to detail and precision in all tasks, ensuring tools meet strict tolerances and specifications.
• Strong problem-solving skills to identify issues, troubleshoot problems, and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to adapt to changing manufacturing needs and work in a dynamic environment.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and provide insights on tool design and manufacturing processes.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment and following all safety protocols.
• Capable of standing for extended periods and performing manual tasks that may require moderate physical effort.

Additional Requirements:

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

Pay Range: California

$44 - $63 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.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Vast? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

School Select...

Degree * Select...

Select...

Select...

Start date year

End date month Select...

End date year

Which company are you currently employed with? *

If you are not currently employed, please enter “N/A.”

LinkedIn Profile

Website

Select...

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 be considered for deemed export licensing. To assist Vast in assessing its export compliance obligations in relation to your application, please identify which ITAR/EAR status applies to you:

How did you hear about Vast? *

LinkedIn

Indeed

Google Job Search

Employee Referral

Friend or Family Member at Vast

Former Colleague at Vast

Industry Event or Conference

News Coverage of Vast

Social Media

University / Alumni Network

Professional Network

Other

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Vast’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.