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.

Industrial Engineer I

The Industrial Engineer I supports the Operational Excellence team in improving manufacturing operations, production workflows, and business systems that enable efficient company operations. Reporting to the Director of Operational Excellence, this role works cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, finance, and program teams to help optimize processes, improve operational performance, and support system-driven efficiency initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of operational processes across:

Manufacturing & production operations
Supply chain & procurement
Quality systems & corrective actions
Engineering change processes and production readiness
Program and operational planning

Assist with process mapping, workflow analysis, standard work documentation, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Analyze production, operational, and business process data to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities
Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving cycle time, increasing throughput, and enhancing quality
Help maintain and improve operational systems such as ERP, MES, PLM, WMS, and related manufacturing/business tools
Assist with data tracking, reporting, and KPI development for operational performance metrics
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve material flow, inventory accuracy, resource utilization, and production efficiency
Support workflow automation, process standardization, and system integration efforts
Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities related to operational and production issues
Support implementation, testing, and user adoption of new operational processes and systems
Ensure operational processes comply with company quality standards, safety requirements, and production objectives

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
0–2 years of experience in industrial engineering, manufacturing, operations, process improvement, or related internship/co-op experience
Basic understanding of Lean Manufacturing, process improvement, and operational efficiency principles
Familiarity with manufacturing or business systems such as ERP, MES, PLM, or WMS through coursework, internships, or professional experience
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
Ability to work collaboratively across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams
Strong communication and documentation skills

Preferred Qualifications

Internship or project experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, automotive, or other complex production environments
Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or continuous improvement methodologies
Experience with process mapping, workflow analysis, or industrial engineering tools
Basic understanding of production planning, capacity analysis, or manufacturing operations
Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or SQL
Interest in operations optimization, systems thinking, and manufacturing efficiency initiatives

Industrial Engineer I: $84,460 to $119,892

Pay Range: California

$84,460—$119,892 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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