Additive Manufacturing Specialist

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 an Additive Manufacturing Specialist, reporting to the Supervisor, Manufacturing, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations. You will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the additive manufacturing equipment, the design of fixturing, and the improvement of additive workflows, as well as part post-processing and quality control.

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

Responsibilities:

• Plan and set up print jobs. Verify machine parameters, build layouts, and material settings against qualified processes. Monitor builds and make recovery decisions

• Diagnose build failures and process deviations, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions

• Design, build, validate, and release fixtures and tooling for builds, post-processing, and inspection. Document them with drawings and revision control

• Map and improve workflows from build prep through post-processing, inspection, and release. Track metrics such as cycle time, throughput, first-pass yield, and machine utilization

• Safely handle and track metal powder, including sieving, loading, de-powdering, storage, and lifecycle control

• Perform and schedule preventive maintenance and troubleshoot equipment

• Operate post-processing equipment such as drills, grinders, CNC, and EDM as required

• Perform verifications and keep complete build, test, fixture, and maintenance records

• Write and refine work instructions, SOPs, and safety practices

• Support rapid iteration and development testing with engineering

• Train cross-functional partners and technicians on equipment, procedures, and safe powder handling

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school degree or equivalency certificate

• 5+ years of hands-on metal additive experience (LPBF) and powder handling or similar environment

• CAD proficiency (e.g., Siemens NX or equivalent)

• Comfortable with hand tools and measurement equipment, and able to follow detailed procedures exactly and safely

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 9+ years experience of hands-on metal additive experience and powder handling or similar environment

• Ability to read engineering drawings, including GD&T, and work from controlled documentation

• Experience working in aerospace or defense manufacturing environments

• Experience with CNC machining, EDM, or work-holding setup and programming

• Experience with lean or continuous-improvement methods, root-cause analysis, and corrective action

• Experience writing or revising SOPs and work instructions

• Experience with powder quality testing and control

• Experience training or mentoring others

• Excellent written and verbal communication

• Initiative and a record of helping the team raise its standards

Additional Requirements:

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

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted

• Ability to work with metal powders using appropriate PPE

Pay Range: California

$46.91—$66.59 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.