Manager, Avionics Manufacturing Engineering

At Vast our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental hardware-rich and low-cost approach Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demos 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 worlds first commercial space station when it launches followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. 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 aManager Avionics Manufacturing Engineering reporting to theSenior Manager Avionics 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 ourLong Beachlocation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the avionics electro-mechanical and PCBA manufacturing engineering function providing both technical and people leadership to support the design build integration and test of human-rated avionics systems and hardware.
• Collaborate closely with design engineering teams to provide early and continuous input on manufacturability assembly and testability (DFM/DFA/DFT) ensuring PCBAs and electro-mechanical designs are optimized for quality reliability schedule and scalability.
• Own the development standardization and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes tooling factory equipment and build strategies for avionics electronics and electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Establish maintain and approve manufacturing plans assembly procedures work instructions and process documentation to ensure consistent compliant and repeatable production of PCBAs and integrated avionics hardware.
• Build mentor and manage a team of avionics manufacturing engineers setting clear priorities providing technical guidance performance feedback and supporting career development.
• Drive robust electronics manufacturing practices including:
• Identify assess and resolve manufacturing risks and issues through structured root cause analysis corrective and preventive actions and cross-functional problem solving.
• Serve as the manufacturing engineering representative in design reviews production readiness reviews and test readiness reviews advocating for manufacturing requirements constraints and readiness.
• Partner with supply chain and suppliers to review and approve supplier manufacturing processes for PCB fabrication PCBA assembly and electro-mechanical hardware ensuring quality standards are met and delivery schedules are achieved.
• Work closely with Quality Production Test and Program teams to define quality controls inspection plans acceptance criteria and escalation paths for electronics and electro-mechanical builds.
• Provide hands-on technical support as needed during assembly integration test and troubleshooting activities on the production floor and in test labs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles waste reduction techniques and process maturity improvements across electronics and electro-mechanical production.
• Track communicate and report manufacturing engineering performance metrics related to quality schedule cost and execution risk.
• Stay current with industry standards emerging technologies and best practices in aerospace electronics manufacturing incorporating lessons learned into company processes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Aerospace Engineering or a related technical field.
• 5 years of experience in manufacturing engineering with experience in aerospace avionics or other highly regulated industries.
• 2 years of experience leading or mentoring engineers project teams or technical functions.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.
• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.
• Specific certifications as appropriate.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY