Manager, Environmental Testing

Vast is looking for a Manager, Environmental Testing reporting to the Director, 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. 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of manufacturing engineers supporting environmental test (vibration, thermal, TVAC, burn-in)
• Own manufacturing strategy, planning, and execution for environmental test hardware, fixtures, and processes
• Partner cross-functionally with design, test, quality, and production teams to ensure manufacturability, scalability, and reliability of avionics systems and test infrastructure
• Drive development and optimization of manufacturing processes and equipment, balancing efficiency, quality, and cost
• Establish and maintain manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent and repeatable execution
• Oversee root cause investigations and corrective actions for manufacturing and test-related issues
• Manage supplier relationships for environmental test hardware and avionics components, including process reviews and quality oversight
• Ensure successful assembly, integration, and readiness of environmental test systems in alignment with engineering requirements and program schedules
• Lead participation in design and test reviews, providing feedback to improve manufacturability and testability
  Partner with quality teams to define and enforce robust quality control standards
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations, including lean practices and waste reduction
• Support hiring, workforce planning, and organizational scaling as programs grow
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in environmental test and avionics manufacturing

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, including ownership of hardware build and process development
• 2+ years of experience leading engineers and/or technicians (formal people management or demonstrated team leadership)

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• 3+ years of hands-on experience supporting environmental testing (vibration, thermal, TVAC, burn-in), including test setup, execution, and troubleshooting
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering test hardware and fixtures (vibe fixtures, thermal/TVAC setups, heat sinks, etc.)
• Experience working cross-functionally with test engineering teams to plan and execute environmental test campaigns
• Working knowledge of SMC-S-016

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted