Soft Goods Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location: Long Beach, California, United States

Compensation: $85,000 - 132,000 USD / year

Job Tags: Hardware

Vast is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer, Soft‑Goods, reporting to the Sr. Director of 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.

• Own the development and implementation of new product manufacturing processes for various soft‑goods (Cargo bags, closeouts, protective blankets, etc.)
• Work closely with our Product Design and Supply Chain teams to ensure the highest level of quality of Vast's Soft‑Goods products
• Responsible for meeting production targets (rate, delivery date, ect.)
• Work with interdisciplinary stakeholders such as human systems, industrial design, internal medicine to ensure all materials and processes can support a safe crewed mission
• Lead manufacturing reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers
• Make sure that all designs and systems are manufacturable and reliable
• Coordinate with QA to lead root cause analysis (RCA) and issue resolution on soft‑good manufacturing quality issues
• Create and manage all operating procedures and control plans for the soft‑goods manufacturing team
• Provide process design improvement ideas and collaborate with engineering resources to implement while ensuring solutions achieve required quality levels, reliability, and consistency
• Create/modify layouts, drawings, and designs supporting manufacturing operations
• Incorporate engineering specifications into process and manufacturing techniques

• Bachelor's degree in industrial or Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• 2+ years of experience working in Soft‑Goods manufacturing environment preferably for space applications

• Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and managers
• Highly self‑motivated with strong organizational and written/oral communication skills – able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high‑pressure environment with the ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work
• Strong organizational skills, as well as verbal and written communication
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to plan and execute R&D projects
• Apply subject matter expertise to cutting edge technical needs, iterate efficiently, and clearly articulate issues
• Experience with interpreting engineering drawings and models; GD&T, etc.
• Knowledge of lean and/or Six Sigma concepts
• Experience with best‑in‑class soft goods manufacturing techniques
• Proficiency and experience in using NX, Teamcenter
• Prior experience in a fast‑paced manufacturing setting
• Willingness and desire to exemplify extreme ownership of flight critical spacecraft systems
• Proactive problem‑solving skills such as failure analysis, root cause investigation, and DOE creation
• Experience working with design, analysis and build of soft‑good components
• Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data driven decisions

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

• Manufacturing Engineer I: $85,000 - $105,000
• Manufacturing Engineer II: $100,000 - $132,000

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, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non‑exempt staff, paid parental leave, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.