Operations Specialist

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 Mission Assurance Engineer, reporting to the VP of Flight Safety & Mission Assurance, 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:  * Coordinate launch readiness, verifies system is ready for flight * Drive technical understanding and closure of identified risks * Assess and communicate risks to executive leadership and external stakeholders * Support technical reviews of software, hardware, and operations products * Verify testing, deliverables, and review activities are complete * Participate in critical space station operations, real-time anomaly investigations, and major root cause investigations. Drive corrective actions, author associated reports, and communicate lessons learned * Coordinate mission data review * Build a culture of safety and mission assurance Minimum Qualifications: * Minimum of a B.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, mathematics, physics, or related technical discipline Preferred Skills & Experience: * Familiarity with system safety, reliability, risk management, certification, change management, systems engineering methodologies, hazard analysis * Experience throughout the engineering lifecycle (design, build, operations, sustainment, and decommission) * Technical leadership experience * Proven ability to lead through influence and exercise expert judgment * Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, fluid schematics, and electrical circuit diagrams * Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate technical information to non-technical partners * Ability to form relationships with experts from varying engineering fields and provide constructive feedback about safety and reliability concerns * Extreme focus on mission success Additional Requirements: * Ability to travel up to 20% of the time * Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones * Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted Pay Range:  * Senior Mission Assurance Engineer: $159,900 - $226,980 * Staff Mission Assurance Engineer: $188,600 - $267,720 Pay Range: California $159,900—$267,720 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: 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 [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-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.

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 seeking a dependable and safety-focused Driver, Inventory Control reporting to the Manager, Inventory Control. This role will support inter-building deliveries across the VAST Long Beach and is responsible for transporting materials, parts, and equipment between nearby facilities (within a ~3-mile radius) to support day-to-day operations. This position plays a key role in keeping teams supplied, production moving, and materials accurately tracked across locations. This will be a full-time, non-exempt position located in our Long Beach location.  Responsibilities:  * Transport materials, components, and equipment between VAST buildings on scheduled and on-demand routes * Ensure timely and accurate delivery of items across sites (all within close proximity) * Safely load, secure, and unload materials to prevent damage * Lift, move, and handle materials (typically up to 50 lbs, occasionally more with assistance) * Use equipment such as carts, dollies, and pallet jacks as needed * Support basic staging and organization of materials at pickup and drop-off points * Use VAST’s inventory tracking system (Manufacturo) to scan and track all material movements * Verify part numbers, quantities, and locations before and after transport * Maintain accurate, real-time updates to ensure inventory integrity across buildings * Work closely with production, warehouse, and operations teams to prioritize deliveries * Communicate delays, discrepancies, or urgent requests in a timely manner * Support quick-turn and just-in-time material movements as needed * Follow all company safety policies and site-specific driving protocols * Conduct basic vehicle checks (brakes, lights, tires, etc.) before use * Maintain clean and organized vehicles and work areas * Operate vehicles and equipment in a safe, cautious manner in industrial environments (pedestrians, forklifts, tight spaces) * Short-distance driving between nearby buildings (all within ~3 miles) * Frequent loading/unloading and physical movement throughout the day * Combination of indoor and outdoor work across multiple facilities Minimum Qualifications: * Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record * Ability to safely operate company vehicles (vans, small trucks, or carts) * Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs regularly * Comfortable working in an active industrial environment * Strong reliability, punctuality, and attention to detail * Safety-first mindset * Strong attention to detail (accuracy in parts and tracking) * Good communication and teamwork * Ability to stay organized in a fast-paced environment * Problem-solving and adaptability Preferred Skills & Experience: * Experience in a warehouse, manufacturing, or internal delivery role * Familiarity with inventory scanning or tracking systems (e.g., Manufacturo or similar) * Experience using pallet jacks or other material handling equipment * Experience transporting hazardous materials (not required) * Forklift Experience Additional Requirements: * Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones Pay Range: California $22—$36 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: 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 [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-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.