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 August 2025. 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 Manager, NDT, reporting to the Senior Vice President, Quality and Supply Chain, 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, manage and grow a team with strong expertise in NDT applications and competencies in signal and image processing, advanced analytics, automation, data storage, NDT digital thread development and data evaluation productivity tools to best satisfy the needs of Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality. Hire, build, and grow technical talent by providing mentoring, coaching, and training to new and experienced engineers, specialists, and technicians
- Drive collaboration and best practices across the business and inspection team with regards to identification, development, maturation, and industrialization of new inspection technology
- Develop a strategic roadmap for the area of responsibility, including creation of associated policy and procedure development. Formulate and implement plans to achieve technical and program requirements, schedules, and contract commitments
- Build and maintain partnerships with manufacturing in remaining compliant to current and developing inspection specifications.
- Help implement automated and assisted evaluation tools to drive productivity and robustness in our inspection processes
- Lead the efforts on digital inspection data movement and archival modernization (NDE digital thread), identifying IT infrastructure and software system requirements
- Responsible for execution of laboratory and field validation testing, inspection and data acquisition for use in the design and validation of products and services
- Responsible for design and construction of test facilities, instrumentation systems and the development of test software
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial/Production Engineering/Computer Science or a related discipline from an accredited college or university
- Minimum of 8 years of nondestructive testing experience.
- Prior supervisory or project lead experience in a salaried environment.
- Prior experience developing training & certification programs.
- Experience managing records retention / archival processes
- Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills
Preferred Skills & Experience
- ASNT Level III certification or equivalent in at least three disciplines.
- Prior experience in developing and leading inspection development across one or more modalities (Xray, CT, UT, EC, FPI, Visual, IR) including technology development and new inspection introductions into production
- Prior experience in Aviation manufacturing processes and materials, component manufacturing, Quality systems and APQP
- Demonstrated ability to manage large projects and lead teams. Track record of delivering results on programs
- Uses high level of judgment to make decisions and handle complex tasks or problems in areas of operational, product management, manufacturing, technology or engineering
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 30 lbs unassisted
Pay Ranges:
- $130,000 - $190,000
Salary Range: California
$130,000—$190,000 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 15 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, free catered meals and snacks and beverages, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.
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.
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What We Do
Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure 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 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 2026, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030.
With more than 1,000 employees at its Long Beach, California headquarters and over a billion dollars in private capital invested, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
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