Shift Lead, Space Simulation Technician

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Equity program

Free meals and snacks on site

Job summary

Vast is seeking a Shift Lead, Space Simulation Technician to lead day-to-day development and testing of flight hardware in our Long Beach lab. You will organize assignments, mentor technicians, and ensure safety and quality during vibration and thermal vacuum tests.

This full-time, non-exempt role covers first and second shifts (6am-2:30pm; 2pm-10:30pm), with responsibilities including test setup, data acquisition, equipment maintenance, and collaboration using Jira and Confluence for test

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience performing vibration and/or thermal vacuum testing.
• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate is required.

Responsibilities

• Organize, coordinate, prioritize, and communicate day-to-day development and manufacturing work assignments for a medium-size technician team
• Lead and demonstrate work and safety culture
• Train and onboard new team members
• Support team members in daily tasks
• Setup and test flight hardware for vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and thermal cycle testing
• Operate, troubleshoot, repair, maintain test lab equipment
• Support test campaigns via Jira and Confluence
• Maintain laboratory and workshop including cleanliness and stocking of consumables
• Read and interpret technical drawings and work instructions

Skills

Vibration testing

Thermal vacuum testing

Education

High School Diploma or equivalency certificate

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

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 a Shift Lead, Space Simulation Technician, on our first and second shifts, reporting to the Supervisor, Environmental Testing to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space.

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

Shift:

• First shift hours: 6am - 2:30pm
• Second shift hours: 2pm - 10:30pm

Responsibilities:

• Organize, coordinate, prioritize, and communicate day-to-day development and manufacturing work assignments for a medium-size technician team
• Lead and demonstrate work and safety culture
• Train and onboard new team members
• Support team members in daily tasks
• Setup and test flight hardware for the following environments:
• Vibration Testing
• Shock Testing
• Thermal Vacuum Testing
• Thermal Cycle
• Operate, troubleshoot, repair, maintain test lab equipment
• Support development, acceptance, qualification, and investigative test campaigns via Jira and Manufacturo
• Maintain laboratory and workshop, including cleanliness, stocking of consumables, tool control, and supporting design and build infrastructure to support above activities
• Read and interpret technical drawings and work instructions in support of above activities

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience performing vibration and or thermal vacuum testing
• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience in the aerospace, power and gas, military, or other high-reliability manufacturing industry
• Experience in the HVAC or industrial gas industry
• Experience with precision cleaning and assembly of precision-cleaned systems
• Experience working in a cleanroom environment
• Experience building, modifying, troubleshooting, maintaining, and operating high pressure equipment
• Experience building, modifying, troubleshooting, maintaining, and operating automation and control systems, including data acquisition systems, programmable logic controllers, etc
• Experience with hazardous systems - cryogenic, flammable, pyrophoric, hypergolic, or high voltage
• Demonstrated success in a role requiring quick thinking and problem solving
• Experience with forklifts, cranes, aerial platforms, and other industrial equipment
• Experience with JIRA project management software and Confluence
• Experience with relevant aerospace testing standards (SMC-S-016, MIL-STD-810G, GSFC-STD-7000B, etc.)
• Skilled in operation of machinery and hand tools
• Able to work effectively in a team environment
• Comfortable working in a rapidly changing, ambiguous environment balancing multiple projects with flexibility

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

$38.83 - $55.13 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.

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.

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:

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.