Welder and Fabrication Technician III

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 Welder and Fabrication Technician III, reporting to the Production Manager of Structures 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, non-exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

• Weld the Haven Structure for Human spaceflight
• Operate mechanized and robotic welding equipment
• Ability to quickly fabricate, weld tooling to support Haven.
• Inspect fabricated parts for geometry acceptance and weld conformance
• Fit, form parts, and clean parts as required and setup welding equipment in preparation for welding
• Perform Class A quality Aluminum weld
• Diagnose weld defects and suggest corrective actions, both in repair and process optimization
• Work with Engineering to improve tools and problem solve
• Material handling of raw goods and finished weldments
• Experience with a wide variety of metal fabrication equipment such as vertical bandsaw, Sanding equipment, Capability to efficiently set up jig tables.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience with Class A TIG
• 4+ years of experience with fabrication, and forming experience

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Self-starter, highly motivated working in a fast-paced department
• Automated/robotic welding experience Preferred VPPAW
• 5+ or more years with Class A aerospace welding
• Ability to follow written and verbal instruction
• Familiar working with x-ray technicians and other NDT techniques
• Experience reading engineering blueprints

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted

Pay Range: California $34.44 — $48.89 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.