Materials & Processes Engineer, Metallics

About the Role

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure. We are seeking a Materials & Processes Engineer – Metallics to support the development of systems for human-rated space stations. This is a full-time, exempt position located in Long Beach, California.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide Materials & Processes engineering expertise for metallic materials used across spacecraft structures, mechanisms, pressure systems, propulsion systems, and other flight hardware.
• Support material selection and qualification for metals including aluminum, stainless steels, titanium, nickel-based alloys, copper alloys, and other aerospace materials.
• Develop, review, and maintain material and process specifications, engineering standards, and acceptance criteria.
• Provide technical guidance for manufacturing processes including machining, forging, casting, heat treatment, welding, brazing, additive manufacturing, and surface treatments.
• Evaluate material properties and manufacturing processes against structural, thermal, environmental, fatigue, fracture, corrosion, and life requirements.
• Develop and execute material and process qualification test plans, including characterization of mechanical and physical properties.
• Develop and maintain material allowables and process controls.
• Perform and support failure analysis and root cause investigations involving metallic flight hardware and manufacturing processes.
• Support nonconformance investigations, MRB activities, corrective actions, and disposition.
• Work closely with Supplier Quality Engineering and Supply Chain to evaluate supplier capabilities, resolve technical issues, and develop critical suppliers.
• Serve as highest technical authority on selected processes, alloy classes, or advanced testing techniques.
• Mentor and raise the technical level of more junior M&P engineers across the team.
• Represent M&P organization in program-level reviews and lead cross-functional initiatives.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Level I M&P Engineer: 0 years of experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, or manufacturing engineering.
• Level II M&P Engineer: 2+ years of experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, or manufacturing engineering.
• Senior M&P Engineer: 5+ years of experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, or manufacturing engineering, with demonstrated technical leadership across a subsystem, program, or team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.
• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Master’s degree or PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience supporting metallic materials and processes for spacecraft, launch vehicles, aircraft, pressure vessels, propulsion systems, or other high-reliability hardware.
• Deep expertise in one or more areas including welding and joining, heat treatment, fatigue and fracture mechanics.
• Fundamental understanding of metallic materials including aluminum, steel, titanium, nickel-based alloys, or other aerospace metals.
• Experience with metallic manufacturing processes such as casting, forging, machining, heat treatment, welding, brazing, additive manufacturing, or surface treatments.
• Experience interpreting material specifications, engineering drawings, test data, and technical requirements.
• Experience supporting material characterization, process qualification, failure analysis, or root cause investigations.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems using a first-principles approach.
• Extensive, hands-on experience with metallography, microscopy (optical, SEM, EDS), mechanical testing (hardness, tensile, fatigue), fracture analysis or other material characterization methods.
• Experience developing or qualifying special processes and working with NADCAP or similarly controlled aerospace processes.
• Familiarity with aerospace material and testing standards such as NASA, AMS, ASTM, AWS, MIL, or equivalent industry standards.
• Knowledge of material allowables, fatigue and fracture behavior, corrosion prevention, and environmental compatibility.
• Experience performing hands-on failure analysis and supporting RCCA investigations on flight or production hardware.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, hardware-first aerospace environment.
• Ability to work autonomously and take extreme ownership of assigned technical areas.

Pay Range

• Materials and Processes Engineer I: $86,100 - $122,220
• Materials and Processes Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468
• Senior Materials and Processes Engineer: $137,760 - $195,552
• Pay Range: California $86,100—$195,552 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.