Production Manager, Fluid Systems

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 Production Manager, reporting to the Manager, Fluid Systems Manufacturing, 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 • Own daily execution of build plan across assigned work centers (safety, quality, delivery). • Lead supervisors and technicians to achieve takt-based production targets. • Identify and escalate production blockers to Engineering, Quality, or Program teams. • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and Design Engineering to resolve build issues and improve manufacturability. • Drive adherence to work instructions, planning, and configuration control. • Monitor and improve key production metrics (throughput, labor hours, rework, scrap). • Ensure staffing plans and shift coverage support program milestones. • Maintain visual management of production status and recovery plans. • Support implementation of PFMEA-driven process controls and standard work. Minimum Qualifications • 5+ years of experience in aerospace, automotive, or other high-complexity manufacturing environments. • 1.5+ years of experience leading production teams in an assembly or fabrication environment. • Experience working cross-functionally with Manufacturing Engineering and Design teams. Preferred Skills & Experience • Experience supporting vehicle structures or final integration environments. • Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and PFMEA. • Ability to interpret engineering drawings and production planning. • Experience scaling from development to higher-rate production. • Strong escalation judgment and production recovery planning. Additional Requirements • Ability to travel up to 25% of the time. • Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones. • Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted. Pay Range: California $133,000—$188,000 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 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.