Tooling Manufacturing Engineer

Position Overview

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people thrive in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations to enable long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. As a Tooling Manufacturing Engineer reporting to the Senior Director of Manufacturing, you will support the development and fabrication of complex tooling required for Haven-1 – the world’s first commercial space station – and help power Vast's mission to replace the International Space Station. This full-time, exempt role is based in Long Beach.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the design, activation, implementation, and support fabrication of fixtures and tooling required for Haven-1 assembly, lifting, and handling.
• Collaborate with Integration and Manufacturing to define vehicle integration flow, manufacturing processes, concepts, and tooling interfaces.
• Work with vehicle engineering and production to define fixture and tooling specifications, develop qualification plans, and introduce them into production.
• Perform mechanical analysis for spacecraft fixtures and develop operation and maintenance plans for all test fixtures and tooling.
• Manage project schedules, coordinate vendor relationships, and implement tool improvements to achieve time or tolerance savings.
• Coordinate tooling modifications due to part, production, or process changes while collaborating closely with engineering and technicians to resolve production issues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Solid experience with GD&T.
• At least 5 years of experience in aerospace or automotive tooling.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience using NX or other 3D CAD packages.
• Proven expertise in handling, lifting, or building large, complex assemblies.
• Strong knowledge of project planning, execution practices, and logic-linked schedule management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with work orders and assembly instructions.
• Design experience with pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic motion systems.
• Expertise in designing critical lifting and break-over fixtures and integration tooling.
• A passion for hardware development in fast-paced, hands-on design environments.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Pay Range: $100,000 - $129,360
• Base salary is determined by job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand.
• Full-time employees receive company equity and access to a comprehensive suite of benefits.
• Benefits include: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents; flexible paid time off and vacation; paid parental leave; short and long-term disability insurance; and life insurance.
• Additional perks such as access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, free snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, and subsidized meals are provided.