Materials & Processes Engineer

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 Materials and Processes Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager of Supplier Quality and Materials & Processes , 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, exemptposition located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and fabricate innovative material solutions for crew-facing hardware, interiors, and softgoods for microgravity and artificial gravity environments

• Drive material prototyping, testing, and development in partnership with the Industrial Design and Interiors Structures teams

• Lead advanced materials development for human-centered materials solutions optimized for safety, usability, maintainability, and comfort

• Translate system-level material requirements into elegant, manufacturable solutions

• Author surface finishes, material palettes, CMF (color/material/finish) standards and testing specifications

• Work in conjunction with Supplier Quality Engineering and Purchasing teams for supplier development

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, materials engineering, textile engineering, or related field

• 4+ years of experience in aerospace or textiles materials development

• Multidisciplinary in plastics, decorative finishing, fabrics and textiles, polymeric films, composites, and natural fibers

• Experience selecting and qualifying materials for extreme environments

• Familiarity with aerospace materials and testing standards (NASA, ESA, MIL, ASTM)

• Strong communication skills and an ability to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment

• Proven experience with managing multiple complex projects simultaneously and partnering with suppliers

• A demonstrated ability to solve problems using first-principles approach

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Master’s degree or PhD in materials science, materials engineering, textile engineering, or chemistry

• Knowledge of flammability, offgassing, and toxicity standards (NASA-STD-6001)

• Hands-on prototyping experience (softgoods manufacturing, adhesive bonding, finishing)

• Experience working in fast-paced, hardware-first startups

• Strong ability to work autonomously and have extreme ownership for areas of responsibility

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 25lbs unassisted

Pay Range:

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

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

Pay Range: California
$112,340—$195,552 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, 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.