Senior Integration Specialist, E-2

Senior Integration Specialist, E-2

Hawthorne, California, United States

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 Senior integration Specialist, reporting to the Supervisor AM and Integration, E-2, to create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers, while optimizing for production and low cost. In this role, you will join a team with exciting momentum that has produced and successfully tested fully integrated engine development samples. You will be a key member who will help transition the system from development to production.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a technical authority for the assembly, integration, and testing of liquid rocket engine hardware and subsystems.
• Support rapid iteration and development testing, including configuration control, test turnaround, and readiness reviews.
• Lead and execute the most complex hands-on integrations of large and small, high-precision, and fragile assemblies.
• Define, validate, and enforce aerospace integration practices including safety wiring, helicoil installation, torque methodology, tube bending, flaring and hardware verification.
• Select, verify, and oversee the use of precision calibrated tools including torque wrenches, micrometers, and calipers.
• Interpret and apply engineering drawings, work instructions, specifications, bills of material, and P&IDs identify discrepancies, drive resolution, and recommend design or process changes.
• Own the readiness, operation, and continuous improvement of the integration and test facilities.
• Lead subsystem test operations, including high-pressure operations, fluid fill/drain/handling, hazardous operations, and real-time sensor monitoring.
• Troubleshoot complex, cross-disciplinary issues across fluid, mechanical, and basic electrical systems; lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Author, review, and maintain build, test, maintenance, and safety documentation; ensure accuracy and adherence to standards.
• Identify, prioritize, and implement improvements to processes, tooling, and safety systems to increase reliability, throughput, and test site productivity.
• Mentor and technically develop technicians and specialists through cross-functional collaboration, formal training, and on-the-job coaching.
• Act as a primary interface between engineering, test operations, and the shop floor to ensure efficient execution and feedback loops.
• Uphold, evolve, and champion test processes, safety standards, and best practices across the organization.
• Oversee and ensure the safe operation of heavy equipment such as forklifts and overhead lifting equipment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 15+ years of experience in production, mechanical, manufacturing, integration, or test environments.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Extensive experience in aerospace, aviation, military, or other high-reliability operating environments.
• Deep hands-on experience with propulsion system assembly, integration, and testing.
• Advanced tube fitting and bending expertise with common industry fitting systems.
• Demonstrated leadership of propulsion hardware integration and high-pressure or cryogenic test operations.
• Extensive experience with gaseous oxygen (GOx), liquid propellant, and cryogenic system operations and maintenance.
• Familiarity with configuration control, test readiness reviews, and hazard analyses.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.

Pay Range: California

$49 - $68 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.