Easy Apply
Easy Apply
The Tooling Manufacturing Engineer will manage tooling fabrication, vendor relationships, coordinate engineering changes, and improve tooling processes for assembly and lifting operations, crucial for building the Haven-1 space station.
At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low-Earth orbit in 2026. It is part of our stepping stone approach to continuous human presence in LEO. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.
Vast is looking for a Tooling Manufacturing Engineer, reporting to the Senior Director of Manufacturing, 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, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
As a Tooling Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a hands-on, end-to-end role in building the tools that power Vast’s mission to replace the International Space Station. You’ll own the fabrication and activation of complex tooling, manage vendor relationships, and ensure every fixture performs as designed and is delivered on time.
Responsibilities:
- Own the design, activation, and implementation, and support fabrication, of fixtures and tooling required for Haven-1 assembly, lifting, and handling.
- Work with Integration and Manufacturing to define vehicle integration flow, manufacturing process, concepts and tooling interfaces.
- Collaborate with vehicle engineering and production to define fixture and tooling specifications, qualification plans, and introduce to production.
- Perform mechanical analysis for spacecraft fixtures.
- Develop operation and maintenance plans for all test fixtures and tooling. Assist the facilities manager(s) in all aspects of project implementation as needed
- Manage schedule on assigned projects including critical next steps, deadlines, and outcome.
- Manage vendor relationships and coordinate meetings to identify new technologies and how they can be applied to Vast’s cutting edge applications.
- Develop, test, and implement tool improvements to yield time savings or tolerance improvements.
- Coordinate tooling modifications related to part, production, or other changes.
- Work closely with engineering stakeholders and technicians to solve production-related issues.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, or other engineering discipline.
- Experience with GD&T.
- 5+ years of experience in aerospace or automotive tooling.
- 5+ years of experience in NX or other 3D CAD packages.
- Hands-on experience with handling, lifting, or building large, complex assemblies.
- Knowledge of project planning and execution practices, including logic-linked schedule management.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience with work orders and assembly instructions.
- Design of pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic motion systems.
- Critical lifting and break overs fixtures.
- Integration tooling design.
- A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment and hands-on design and development.
- Strong communication skills.
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Pay Range:
- Tooling Manufacturing Engineer: $100,000 - $129,360
Salary Range: California
$100,000—$129,360 USD
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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.
Top Skills
3D Cad Software
Electrical Systems
Hydraulic Systems
Nx
Pneumatic Systems
Teamcenter
Vast Long Beach, California, USA Office
2851 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA, United States, 90755
Similar Jobs
9 Hours Ago
Automotive • Cloud • Greentech • Information Technology • Other • Software • Cybersecurity
The Director leads the development and execution of vendor management strategies, ensuring operational efficiency and client satisfaction while managing a team and optimizing service delivery.
Top Skills:
Data-Driven AnalyticsOperational MetricsService Platforms
.png)
eCommerce • Fintech • Hardware • Payments • Software • Financial Services
The Senior Sales Account Executive will manage outbound sales strategies, source leads, and close deals in various merchant verticals, using a consultative sales approach and Salesforce for tracking.
Top Skills:
Salesforce
eCommerce • Fintech • Hardware • Payments • Software • Financial Services
As a Hardware Product Manager, you'll manage product health, monitor device performance, identify opportunities, and translate them into requirements for development teams while communicating product roadmaps and prioritizing execution.
Top Skills:
Data Science ToolsTelemetry Tools
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
