Supplier Quality Engineer

Supplier Quality Engineer

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 Supplier Quality Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager of Supplier Quality and Materials & Processes, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

In the role of Supplier Quality Engineer you will be crucial in ensuring the consistent quality and reliability of the products and components we receive from our suppliers.

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

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.
• 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.
• Conduct design for manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable at early stages, preferably prior to sourcing.
• Lead root cause and corrective action process associated with any escapes or contaminants identified in Vast manufacturing or the Vast supply chain.
• Collaborate with teams, lead projects, and continuously drive improvement in the supply base.
• Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, technical excellence, proactivity, and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 4+ years of experience with manufacturing and/or inspection of mechanical products in a production environment.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience with manufacturing, process, reliability, or design engineering.
• Proven track record of taking ownership in projects, performing root-cause analysis and corrective actions, and influencing suppliers to drive results.
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T.
• Experience with Quality Management Systems (ISO 9000 / AS9100 / NADCAP).
• Knowledge of supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAI reports, etc.).
• Experience in statistical controls and methods (e.g. MSA, GR&R, Design of Experiments, Six Sigma, etc.)
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of interfacing with and conveying concepts to all levels of Vast and in 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 $100,000 - $174,000 USD

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.

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.

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.