Supervisor, Avionics Manufacturing - Harnessing

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 looking for a Supervisor of Avionics Manufacturing - Harnessing, reporting to Manager of Avionics 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.

Shift hours:

• Second shift: 2:00PM - 10:30PM

Responsibilities:

• Organize, coordinate, prioritize, and communicate day-to-day wire harness fabrication and assembly work assignments for the second shift technician team, ensuring seamless continuity from first shift operations.
• Lead, mentor, and model a strong work ethic, safety culture, and quality-first mindset on the production floor.
• Train and onboard new team members in harness assembly techniques, workmanship standards, and IPC/WHMA-A-620 requirements, ensuring all personnel meet certification expectations.
• Support technicians in daily tasks including crimping, soldering, connector assembly, bundling, lacing, and harness routing in accordance with IPC/WHMA-A-620 acceptance criteria.
• Assist with optimizing the wire harness manufacturing process, considering factors such as cycle time, yield, quality, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining compliance with IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class 2 and Class 3 standards.
• Participate in design reviews, providing practical insight to improve the manufacturability, routability, and reliability of wire harness assemblies.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to establish, maintain, and enforce rigorous quality control processes aligned with IPC/WHMA-A-620 workmanship standards, including in-process inspections and final acceptance testing.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to reduce defects, minimize rework, eliminate waste, and improve overall harness assembly quality and throughput.
• Meet demanding second shift production schedules to achieve high output rates while maintaining IPC/WHMA-A-620 compliance and adapting to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked production area, including tool control, consumable inventory (heat shrink, terminals, connectors, lacing tape, etc.), and support of build infrastructure.
• Read and interpret technical drawings, wire lists, harness schematics, and work instructions to support assembly and inspection activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in a technical field, with a strong preference for candidates with a background in wire harness or aerospace cable assembly manufacturing.
• 3+ years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role, with demonstrated ability to guide, motivate, and manage production teams.
• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• In-depth understanding of wire harness fabrication processes including crimping, soldering, over-molding, potting, connector insertion/extraction, and continuity/hipot testing.
• Working knowledge of and experience operating within a formal quality management system such as AS9100, ISO 9001, or equivalent.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 CIS or CIT certification, with the ability to train and evaluate technicians to IPC workmanship standards.
• Experience with IPC-A-600, IPC J-STD-001, or other relevant IPC standards as they relate to harness and cable assembly manufacturing.
• Familiarity with military and aerospace harness standards such as MIL-DTL-22759, MIL-SPEC wire, AS22759, and NASM hardware specifications.
• Experience creating and maintaining manufacturing documentation such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions, and Inspection Criteria aligned with IPC/WHMA-A-620.
• Experience with CAD or harness design tools (such as Siemens Capital or similar) for reviewing harness drawings and wire lists.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to perform structured root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective actions for workmanship defects.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and process improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen) as applied to harness production.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with ability to interface effectively with engineering, quality, and program management teams.
• Strong attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to producing harness assemblies that meet or exceed IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class 3 acceptance criteria.

Additional Requirements

• Availability to work second shift on a consistent schedule, with willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical production milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.

Pay Range: California $96,760 — $137,352 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.