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 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, 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 a Manufacturing Planner, Fluid Systems Manufacturing, reporting to the Manager, Avionics Manufacturing Operations, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. Join the team as we help manufacture the world's first private space station.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain production schedules, demand forecasts, resource availability, and capacity analysis
- Coordinate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure timely availability of materials and components required for manufacturing
- Analyze internal and external capacity and identify bottlenecks or constraints
- Monitor inventory levels of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods
- Implement strategies to minimize excess inventory while ensuring continuity of production
- Communicate to engineering and leadership with no later than release dates for manufacturing deadlines
- Coordinate with engineering and quality assurance teams to ensure adherence to specifications and standards
- Monitor production progress and identify deviations from the schedule
- Take corrective actions to mitigate delays and maintain on-time delivery
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains
- Implement best practices to enhance manufacturing processes and reduce lead times
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, procurement, engineering, and logistics to align on plans and resolve issues
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 2+ years experience in manufacturing planning, scheduling, or operations management
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies
- Working knowledge of database query and visualization software such as SQL, Tableau, etc.
- Understanding of Quality Management in aerospace manufacturing
- Proficiency in using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams are crucial for success in this role
- Committed to continuous improvement and a willingness to embrace new technologies, methodologies, and best practices
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work late & weekends on an as needed basis to support critical milestones
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: 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.
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.
Skills Required
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 2+ years experience in manufacturing planning, scheduling, or operations management
- Willingness to work late and weekends as needed to support critical milestones
- Must be a U.S. person (per export control requirements)
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies
- Working knowledge of database query and visualization software such as SQL and Tableau
- Understanding of Quality Management in aerospace manufacturing
- Proficiency in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
- Committed to continuous improvement and willingness to adopt new technologies and best practices
Vast Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vast and has not been reviewed or approved by Vast.
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents from day one, alongside primary care and mental‑health programs. These provisions are repeatedly emphasized as a core part of the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Information highlights generous PTO with an annual cash‑out option, paid parental leave, sick time, and company holidays, with flexible PTO for exempt staff. These features indicate broad time‑off support across multiple needs.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Onsite meals and snacks, fitness memberships or stipends, and wellness resources (e.g., One Medical and Spring Health) are prominently offered. Such perks appear designed to enhance daily work experience and overall wellbeing.
Vast Insights
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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