Manager, Additive & Material Processes

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Vast

Long Beach, California, United States

On-site

Posted April 30, 2026

Job Description

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 Manager, Additive & Material Processes, reporting to the VP, Manufacturing, to support the development of the 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.

Responsibilities:

Motivates and leads a high-performance team while providing technical mentorship and direction to grow the team's skills and capabilities to align with business needs
Manage and direct the additive manufacturing team to:
- Additive Materials and Process Development & Qualification to meet AS9100D and NASA specs
- Additive Hardware Prototyping and Process Development
- Bring in Generative Design and Design for Additive Capabilities
Manage the Additive Supply Chain and Consumables
Manage Internal & External Research Projects and Proposals
Work closely with the engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure that customer orders are produced on-time, efficiently and cost-effectively
To achieve success, the candidate will leverage their business knowledge and technical domain experience in manufacturing and additive technologies to promote innovation while balancing risk and investment priorities
You will leverage your excellent communication skills (verbal and written) as you will be responsible for communicating progress across our multifaceted team to adjacent stakeholders and executives

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline
4+ years of experience in Metal Additive
2+ years of experience in propulsions design or development of metallic additive technologies
Deep knowledge of metal additive manufacturing technology
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with engineering and manufacturing groups to understand process constraints and provide design inputs for improved manufacturability

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Master’s degree in manufacturing engineering
4+ years of experience operating additive machines, including process control and verifications
Knowledge of NASA 6030 spec
Knowledge of AS9100D qualification processes
Knowledge of various additive and subtractive manufacturing and joining techniques for metals
Experience managing small to midsize teams of technicians and engineers
Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals
Experience with NX, SOLIDWORKS
Excellent communication skills and ability to succinctly present recommendations
Passion for advancing additive manufacturing technology
Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment
Highly self-motivated and able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment

Pay Range: California

$143,000—$203,000 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.

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