Director, Sub Assemblies Manufacturing

Vast is looking for a(n) Director, Sub Assemblies Manufacturing, reporting to the Vice President of Manufacturing, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities: 

• Define and execute the manufacturing strategy for mechanical subassemblies, Thermal Control Systems (TCS), and Environmental Control & Life Support Systems (ECLSS), aligning manufacturing capability with spacecraft performance, build schedules, and mission objectives.
• Lead cross-functional manufacturing execution across engineering, quality, supply chain, and test to drive production readiness, resolve manufacturing constraints, and enable successful hardware delivery.
• Translate program requirements and build cadence into manufacturing operating models, resource plans, factory layouts, work center architecture, and capacity roadmaps.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) through early engagement with engineering, influencing product architecture, interface definitions, test access, tolerance schemes, and manufacturing risk before release.
• Own prototype-to-production transitions by establishing manufacturing work centers, qualifying tooling and processes, developing production documentation, and enabling repeatable flight hardware production.
• Develop make/buy strategies and manufacturing capability roadmaps, determining which subassemblies, fabrication processes, and test operations should be vertically integrated versus outsourced.
• Establish manufacturing quality standards and production readiness gates, ensuring compliance with AS9100, NASA human-rated requirements, and disciplined configuration control throughout the hardware lifecycle.
• Drive manufacturing performance through digital production systems and data analytics, leveraging MES, Jira, Tableau, and operational metrics to improve throughput, yield, nonconformance resolution, and factory performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across mechanical assembly, tubing, thermal systems, and ECLSS manufacturing by applying lean principles, standard work, and production system optimization to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing manufacturing engineering, test engineering, and technician organizations while establishing the manufacturing culture, operating rhythm, and technical standards required to scale future spacecraft production.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience leading manufacturing engineering or production organizations responsible for complex hardware from development through production, including 8+ years of people leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise manufacturing complex mechanical assemblies, fluid systems, thermal hardware, tubing, or other high-reliability electromechanical systems.
• Proven experience driving Design for Manufacturability (DFM), production readiness, manufacturing process development, and prototype-to-production transitions.
• Experience building and scaling manufacturing organizations, including work center design, production ramp, capacity planning, and cross-functional execution with engineering, quality, and supply chain.
• Working knowledge of regulated manufacturing systems (AS9100, NASA, or equivalent), manufacturing documentation, inspection methods, contamination control, and production test.
• Experience applying lean manufacturing principles and modern manufacturing systems (CAD, PLM, MES/ERP, or similar) to improve quality, throughput, and operational performance.
• Strong technical judgment, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to influence engineering decisions and solve complex manufacturing challenges.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience standing up new manufacturing capabilities, factories, or production lines from early development through sustained production.
• Experience supporting spacecraft, launch vehicle, aviation, defense, energy, automotive, or other highly regulated hardware manufacturing environments.
• Experience developing make/buy strategies, supplier qualification plans, and vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizations through ambiguity, shifting program priorities, and aggressive development schedules while maintaining execution.
• Track record of building high-performing manufacturing engineering teams and developing future technical and people leaders.
• Experience driving digital manufacturing initiatives, automation, advanced manufacturing technologies, or factory modernization efforts.

Additional Requirements:

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