The Welding Engineer develops and qualifies welding processes for aerospace applications, collaborates on design improvements, and ensures compliance with aerospace standards while optimizing manual and automated welding techniques.
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 May 2026. 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 Welding Engineer, reporting to the Senior Welding 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, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and qualify novel welding processes for structural components of artificial-gravity space stations.
- Select appropriate materials and joining methods for high-reliability aerospace applications.
- Define and execute weld test campaigns, including mechanical testing and non-destructive evaluation (NDE).
- Write and maintain material and process specifications, procedures, and acceptance criteria.
- Troubleshoot manufacturing issues and lead root cause and corrective action efforts.
- Provide the Tooling team with welding support on welding optimization and code adherence for GSE/Critical Tools.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve welded joint designs for manufacturability and performance.
- Work with welders to optimize manual welding processes (TIG, FCAW, & MIG)
- Implement and optimize automated welding and advanced joining technologies.
- Partner with NDE and QA teams to validate weld quality on flight and development hardware.
- Interpret test results to drive process improvements and ensure compliance with aerospace standards.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in welding engineering, materials science, or a related discipline.
- 1 to 3 years of hands-on experience with welding and joining processes.
- Practical knowledge of aluminum, stainless steel, and nickel-based alloys.
- Experience in weld process development, qualification, and testing.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. person per ITAR requirements.
- Willingness to work extended hours or weekends to support key milestones.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Master’s degree in welding engineering or related field.
- Extensive Hands-on experience with welding of aerospace grade aluminum alloys
- Familiarity with welding codes and standards (e.g., AWS D17.1/D17.3/D1.1/D1.2/D1.6, ASTM E8/E399, ISO 15653, NASA PRC-5009. Etc…).
- Background in weld automation, robotic programming, and weld tooling design.
- Experience with metallography, Microscopy, SEM, mechanical testing, failure analysis, and material characterization techniques.
- Strong understanding of aerospace non-destructive inspection (NDE) techniques.
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects & novel process development.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to perform tasks in manufacturing environments, including confined spaces or elevated platforms.
- Capable of lifting up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
- Occasional travel (up to 10%).
- Must be comfortable supporting fast-paced production schedules.
Pay Range:
- Weld Engineer I: $84,280 - $108,780
- Weld Engineer II: $110,000 - $142,100
Salary Range: California
$84,280—$142,100 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
Aluminum
Astm E8
Aws D17.1
Nickel-Based Alloys
Sem
Stainless Steel
Welding Processes
Vast Long Beach, California, USA Office
2851 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA, United States, 90755
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