Tooling Engineer I

Responsibilities

• Own the design, activation, and implementation, and support fabrication, of fixtures and tooling required for Haven-1 assembly, lifting, and handling.
• Work with Integration and Manufacturing to define vehicle integration flow, manufacturing process, concepts and tooling interfaces.
• Collaborate with vehicle engineering and production to define fixture and tooling specifications, qualification plans, and introduce to production.
• Perform mechanical analysis for spacecraft fixtures.
• Develop operation and maintenance plans for all test fixtures and tooling. Assist the facilities manager(s) in all aspects of project implementation as needed
• Manage schedule on assigned projects including critical next steps, deadlines, and outcome.
• Manage vendor relationships and coordinate meetings to identify new technologies and how they can be applied to Vast's cutting edge applications.
• Develop, test, and implement tool improvements to yield time savings or tolerance improvements.
• Coordinate tooling modifications related to part, production, or other changes.
• Work closely with engineering stakeholders and technicians to solve production-related issues.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, or other engineering discipline
• Experience with GD&T
• 1+ years of experience in aerospace/mechanical/automotive design and/or tooling. (University capstone/competitive projects and prior internship experience may apply)
• 1+ years of experience in NX or other 3D CAD packages
• Hands-on experience with handling, lifting, or building engineered assemblies
• Experience making and running FEA models on structural components
• Knowledge of project planning and execution practices, including logic-linked schedule management
• Strong communication skills.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with work orders and assembly instructions.
• Design of pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic motion systems.
• Critical lifting and break overs fixtures.
• Integration tooling design
• A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment and hands-on design and development.

Additional Requirements

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

Pay Range

California $86,000—$122,000 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

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 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.