Senior Program Operations Engineer

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is seeking a Senior Program Operations Engineer reporting to Director, Technical Projects, to lead operations and long range strategic planning and initiatives on behalf of the program team. You will work closely with cross-functional teams and define program requirements to align program goals and objectives to company operating plans. You will need to partner with adjacent development programs across the business to ensure plans are executable and attainable. Your primary responsibility is to ensure successful scaling of the business to ensure program success.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

• Create and own the program manifest for Haven Station programs and all associated long range and strategic planning
• Define and own the program operational requirements that drive company operational targets (headcount projections, CapEx projections, engineering development assets, etc.)
• Work closely with stakeholders (Finance, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Facilities, People Teams, etc.) to achieve operational targets
• Lead initiatives and projects to achieve program and operational targets. Prepare and generate the necessary analytics and dashboards; report progress on a regular basis (monthly and/or quarterly)
• Apply first principles approach to problem solving, conflict resolution, and decision making
• Demonstrate and lead with urgency across all initiatives

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of demonstrated successful contributions in engineering, program operations, program or project management, or corporate and business strategy
• Demonstrated successful contributions to end-to-end product lifecycle management
• Experience with project management and reporting tools (i.e., MS Project, SmartSheet, JIRA, Confluence)
• Demonstrated NPI expertise and understanding of product lifecycle management (from cradle-to-grave)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Master’s degree in engineering or related field. MBA with a focus on operations or strategy is a plus
• Demonstrated examples in scaling a successful program or products to market as a technical contributor or lead
• Demonstrated experience in fields of engineering, manufacturing operations, operations management, and business strategy
• Familiarity with lean and six-sigma methodologies and business finance principles
• Experience in transitioning products from low to high volume production. Delivery of aerospace, defense, or flight hardware is preferred but not required
• Ability to think strategically and execute cross-disciplinary tactical plans

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
  
  

Pay Range: California $133,446 — $189,429 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.