Senior Operations Engineering

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. 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 seeking a Senior Program Operations Engineer reporting to Director, Technical Projects , to lead operations and long range strategic planning and initiatives on behalf of the program team. This will be a full-time , exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Create and own the program manifest for Haven Station programs and all associated long range and strategic planning

Define and own the program operational requirements that drive company operational targets (headcount projections, CapEx projections, engineering development assets, etc.)

Work closely with stakeholders (Finance, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Facilities, People Teams, etc.) Lead initiatives and projects to achieve program and operational targets. Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, or related field

5+ years of demonstrated successful contributions in engineering, program operations, program or project management, or corporate and business strategy

Demonstrated successful contributions to end-to-end product lifecycle management

Experience with project management and reporting tools (i.e., MS Project, SmartSheet, JIRA, Confluence)

Demonstrated NPI expertise and understanding of product lifecycle management (from cradle-to-grave)

Master’s degree in engineering or related field. MBA with a focus on operations or strategy is a plus

Demonstrated experience in fields of engineering, manufacturing operations, operations management, and business strategy

Familiarity with lean and six-sigma methodologies and business finance principles

Experience in transitioning products from low to high volume production. Delivery of aerospace, defense, or flight hardware is preferred but not required

Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

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.

S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

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.

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