Construction Field Engineer

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

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 required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Construction Field Engineer II, reporting to the Construction Project Manager, to support the development of the facilities required for the design and manufacturing of human-rated space stations. This position will enable production teams to operate equipment and machinery required to complete the company’s mission.

This will be a full‑time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

The Construction Field Engineer II will serve as a primary field presence for assigned construction and facilities projects, coordinating construction activities while managing the project requirements necessary to deliver facilities safely, on schedule, and within budget. This role requires a combination of hands‑on field involvement, construction‑document knowledge, contractor coordination, and project management. The successful candidate will be comfortable taking a high‑level objective, determining the work required to achieve it, coordinating multiple stakeholders, and driving the project forward.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute assigned construction and facilities projects from project initiation through completion
• Translate high-level project objectives into actionable tasks, schedules, milestones, and deliverables
• Working directly with construction trades, contractors, and subcontractors in active field environments
• Verify existing field conditions and identify discrepancies between construction documents and actual conditions
• Document field conditions and project progress through photographs, notes, drawings, and project documentation
• Develop and maintain project schedules, trackers, action items, and project documentation
• Manage and prioritize multiple projects and competing deadlines simultaneously
• Proactively follow up with internal teams, contractors, vendors, engineers, and other stakeholders to drive action items and commitments to completion
• Create and take part in meetings and presentations with executive leadership
• Obtain multiple bids from competing contractors by creating clear and complete scopes of work
• Perform job walk‑downs with vendors, engineers, supervisors, and managers
• Work with the purchasing department to ensure vendors are approved, vetted and insured
• Review architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other plans and other technical documents
• Ability to identify discrepancies between construction documents and field conditions and determine appropriate next steps
• Answer questions regarding the scope and/or timing of the project
• Monitor costs and project progress
• Maintain control of all project documentation
• Create, manage and track RFI’s from the field to the architect/engineer of record
• Communicate project status, risks, decisions, schedule impacts, and required actions clearly to project stakeholders and management
• Adapt project priorities and execution plans as project requirements and company priorities change
• Ability to work independently and make decisions with limited information or direction

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans and specifications

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated experience supporting or managing construction, facilities, engineering, or similar projects
• Experience working in active construction or field environments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to identify problems, determine appropriate next steps, and drive issues toward resolution
• Strong follow-through, organization, and attention to detail
• Bachelor's of Science Degree in any engineering discipline
• Experience with facilities within an aerospace industry
• Familiar with space planning procedures and operations
• Knowledge of computer applications and the ability to easily navigate through different computer software programs
• Ability to collaborate effectively with contractors, vendors, engineers, operations teams, and other internal stakeholders
• Ability to make independent judgments with limited information
• Communication skills for relaying data (verbally and in‑writing) between other employees, vendors, and customers
• Logical and strategic approach to solving problems
• Comfortable working in a high‑stress environment balancing several projects at any given time, and the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction
• Demonstrated ability to proactively manage competing priorities, identify what needs to happen next, and maintain progress across multiple projects without requiring detailed direction

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
• Willingness to spend significant time in active construction and manufacturing environments

Pay Range: California

$104,960 - $160,632 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.

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.