Senior Welder and Fabrication Technician

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low-Earth orbit in 2026. It is part of our stepping stone approach to continuous human presence in LEO. 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 Senior Welder and Fabrication, reporting to the Shop Floor Supervisor, 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:

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

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 25 lbs unassisted.

Pay Range:

• Senior Welder and Fabrication Technician: $36.00 - $50.00

Salary Range: California$36—$50 USDCOMPENSATION 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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.