Supplier Reliability Engineer - Metallic Materials & Processes

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and capital-efficient approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to support a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and supporting a growing space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to design, build, and operate its own spacecraft in orbit. Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo: Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a  Senior/Staff Supplier Reliability Engineer , reporting to the Senior Manager of Supplier Reliability , to support the development of 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. In this role, you will be crucial in ensuring the consistent quality and reliability of the products and components we receive from our suppliers.

Responsibilities: 

• Evaluating and onboarding new suppliers, ensuring they meet our quality expectations by conducting regular audits, assessments, and evaluations to ensure that our suppliers adhere to our quality standards
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with our suppliers, address any quality-related issues, identify risks in the supply chain, and implement improvements
• Collaborate with design, and manufacturing engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of piece part, assembly, and/or sub-system design intent. Conduct design for manufacturing reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable at early stages, preferably prior to sourcing
• Collaborate with procurement teams to strategically source parts by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes, inspection practices, and quality systems
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, both internally and with our suppliers, by analyzing quality data, identifying trends, and implementing corrective and preventive actions to enhance the overall quality of our products and reduce costs
• Create and define supplier technical and quality requirements based on customer and program requirements and expectations for NPI and manufacturing phases
• Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends, pinpoint systemic performance gaps, and develop supplier improvement plans
• Lead root cause and corrective action process associated with any escapes or contaminants identified in Vast manufacturing or the Vast supply chain
• Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, technical excellence, proactivity, and attention to detail

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 5+ years in materials, process, or quality engineering for metal products in a production environment, with hands-on RCCA on material or process issues
• Working knowledge of metallurgy, heat treatment, common metal defects, forging, extrusion, casting, welding, surface and finishing processes, or NDE
• Experience reading and applying AMS, ASTM, and drawing-callout requirements

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or Engineering
• Proven record of owning RCCAs to verified closure and influencing suppliers to drive results
• Hands-on failure analysis: fractography, metallography, SEM/EDS
• Working knowledge of quality systems (ISO 9000, AS9100, NADCAP) and supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAI)
• Familiarity with the standards the role will work with:
• AMS-STD-2154 and ASTM E2375 (UT, wrought)
• ASTM A388 (heavy forgings)
• ASTM E45 and E112 (inclusions, grain size)
• AMS 2759 and 2750 (heat treatment, pyrometry)
• AMS 2700 and ASTM B912 (passivation, electropolishing)
• MIL-A-8625 (anodizing)
• AMS 2430 (shot peening)
• Experience applying statistical methods (MSA, DOE, hypothesis testing, Cpk) and disciplined problem solving (8D, fault tree, Ishikawa, Six Sigma)
• Experience with additive manufacturing, EB and fusion welding metallurgy, fracture mechanics, or damage tolerance
• Experience with MES and PLM systems, alongside Google suite, SQL, and Python
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment and across a matrix of functions
• Strong written and verbal communication, able to convey technical findings to all levels of Vast and the supply base

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time

Pay Range: California

$123,000—$230,000 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

 

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.

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.