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Vast · 3 months ago

Senior Tooling Engineer

Long Beach, California, United States

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

$135K/yr - $170K/yr

5+ years exp

Vast is a company committed to building artificial gravity space stations for long-term human habitation in space. They are seeking a Senior Tooling Engineer to lead the design and implementation of tooling and fixtures for the Haven-1 assembly, ensuring robust and precise manufacturing processes.

Defense & Space

Culture & Values

Responsibilities

Own the design, activation, implementation, and fabrication support of fixtures and tooling required for Haven-1 assembly, lifting, and handling

Partner with Integration and Manufacturing teams to define vehicle integration flow, manufacturing processes, concepts, and tooling interfaces

Collaborate with vehicle engineering and production to define fixture and tooling specifications, develop qualification plans, and transition tools into production

Perform mechanical analysis for spacecraft fixtures such as loads & dynamics, FEM

Develop operation and maintenance plans for all test fixtures and tooling; assist Facilities Managers with project implementation

Own schedules on assigned projects, including critical deadlines, and deliverables

Establish and manage vendor relationships; coordinate meetings to identify and apply new technologies to Vast’s applications

Develop, test, and implement tooling improvements to drive time savings and/or tighter tolerances

Coordinate tooling modifications resulting from part, production, or design changes

Partner with engineering stakeholders and technicians to resolve production-related issues

Qualification

Mechanical EngineeringGD&TNX3D CADAerospace tooling experienceProject planningPneumatic systems designElectrical systems designHydraulic systems designCommunication skillsCollaboration skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline

Proficiency with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)

5+ years of experience in aerospace or automotive tooling

5+ years of experience using NX or other 3D CAD software

Hands-on experience handling, lifting, or building large, complex assemblies

Knowledge of project planning and execution practices, including logic-linked schedule management

Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Preferred

Experience creating and working from work orders and assembly instructions

Background in designing pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic motion systems

Experience with critical lifting fixtures and break-over tooling

Expertise in integration tooling design

Passion for hardware development and comfort working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment

Strong communication and collaboration skills

Benefits

100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents

Flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff

Paid parental leave

Short and long-term disability insurance

Life insurance

Access to a 401(k) retirement plan

One Medical membership

ClassPass credits

Personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health

Other discounts and perks

Exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee, 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

Company

Vast

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.

Founded in 2021

Long Beach, California, US

501-1000 employees