Materials & Processes Engineer, Metallics

Vast is looking for a Materials & Processes Engineer – Metallics, reporting to the Materials & Processes Lead, 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:

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

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field

Lvl. I M&P Engineer: 0 years of experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, or manufacturing engineering

Lvl. II M&P Engineer: 2+ years of experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, or manufacturing engineering

Senior M&P Engineer: 5+ years of the above, with demonstrated technical leadership across a subsystem, program, or team

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

Additional Requirements:

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

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