Materials & Processes Engineer, Metallics

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 Materials & Processes Engineer – Metallics, reporting to the Materials & Processes Lead, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities:

• Provide Materials & Processes engineering expertise for metallic materials used across spacecraft structures, mechanisms, pressure systems, propulsion systems, and other flight hardware

• Support material selection and qualification for metals including aluminum, stainless steels, titanium, nickel-based alloys, copper alloys, and other aerospace materials

• Develop, review, and maintain material and process specifications, engineering standards, and acceptance criteria.

• Provide technical guidance for manufacturing processes including machining, forging, casting, heat treatment, welding, brazing, additive manufacturing, and surface treatments

• Evaluate material properties and manufacturing processes against structural, thermal, environmental, fatigue, fracture, corrosion, and life requirements

• Develop and execute material and process qualification test plans, including characterization of mechanical and physical properties. Develop and maintain material allowables and process controls

• Perform and support failure analysis and root cause investigations involving metallic flight hardware and manufacturing processes. Support nonconformance investigations, MRB activities, corrective actions, and disposition

• Work closely with Supplier Quality Engineering and Supply Chain to evaluate supplier capabilities, resolve technical issues, and develop critical suppliers

• Serve as highest technical authority on selected processes, alloy classes, or advanced testing techniques

• Mentor and raise the technical level of more junior M&P engineers across the team

• Represent M&P organization in program-level reviews and lead cross-functional initiatives

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field

• Lvl. I M&P Engineer: 0 years of experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, or manufacturing engineering

• Lvl. II M&P Engineer: 2+ years of experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, or manufacturing engineering

• Senior M&P Engineer: 5+ years of the above, with demonstrated technical leadership across a subsystem, program, or team

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

• 5+ years of experience supporting metallic materials and processes for spacecraft, launch vehicles, aircraft, pressure vessels, propulsion systems, or other high-reliability hardware

• Deep expertise in one or more areas including welding and joining, heat treatment, fatigue and fracture mechanics

• Fundamental understanding of metallic materials including aluminum, steel, titanium, nickel-based alloys, or other aerospace metals

• Experience with metallic manufacturing processes such as casting, forging, machining, heat treatment, welding, brazing, additive manufacturing, or surface treatments

• Experience interpreting material specifications, engineering drawings, test data, and technical requirements

• Experience supporting material characterization, process qualification, failure analysis, or root cause investigations

• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams

• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems using a first-principles approach

• Extensive, hands-on experience with metallography, microscopy (optical, SEM, EDS), mechanical testing (hardness, tensile, fatigue), fracture analysis or other material characterization methods

• Experience developing or qualifying special processes and working with NADCAP or similarly controlled aerospace processes

• Familiarity with aerospace material and testing standards such as NASA, AMS, ASTM, AWS, MIL, or equivalent industry standards

• Knowledge of material allowables, fatigue and fracture behavior, corrosion prevention, and environmental compatibility

• Experience performing hands-on failure analysis and supporting RCCA investigations on flight or production hardware

• Experience working in a fast-paced, hardware-first aerospace environment

• Ability to work autonomously and take extreme ownership of assigned technical areas

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time

• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Unassisted

Pay Range:

• Materials and Processes Engineer I: $86,100 - $122,220

• Materials and Processes Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468

• Senior Materials and Processes Engineer: $137,760 - $195,552

Pay Range: California

$86,100—$195,552 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 BENEFITSBase 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 OPPORTUNITYVast 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.