Vast
Manufacturing Engineer - Factory Systems & Rate Production
About this role
Vast seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to design and optimize factory systems for scalable production of Haven-2 space station modules. You'll own factory layout, production architecture, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives while partnering with design teams and leading the transition from development to high-rate aerospace manufacturing.
What you'll do
- Own Haven-2 factory layout, production system architecture, and future-state factory design to meet rate production requirements
- Lead DFM/DFA reviews and manufacturing readiness activities, partnering with design engineering through PDR, CDR, MRR, and PRR
- Define and implement KPIs across work centers (throughput, cycle time, first-pass yield, capacity) and design data infrastructure for monitoring
- Lead continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and value stream design; conduct time-and-motion studies to identify and eliminate bottlenecks
- Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation (process plans, routings, standard work) compliant with AS9100 aerospace standards
- Specify, qualify, and deploy tooling, fixtures, and production equipment; coordinate custom tooling design for complex assembly
What they're looking for
- Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
- Time-and-motion analysis (MOST, Yamazumi, or equivalent)
- Manufacturing documentation and AS9100 compliance
- Data analytics and visualization (Tableau, Power BI, SQL)
- DFM/DFA and manufacturing readiness processes
- Factory layout and production system design
- Cross-functional project management
- Aerospace and complex hardware assembly experience
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Vast
Vast develops Haven-1, a human-rated space station, and is hiring design reliability engineers across thermal, structures, propulsion, and avionics systems to ensure safe operations, as well as construction project engineers to support the station's development and construction.
- Website
- vast.com
Likely interview questions
- Walk us through a specific example where you led a Lean or Six Sigma initiative that measurably improved throughput or reduced cycle time—what was your approach and result?
- Describe your experience with time-and-motion studies (MOST or Yamazumi). How have you used these to establish standard work and quantify improvement opportunities?