Quality Inspector, Avionics

<div class="content-intro"><p>At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. 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.</p></div><p>Vast is looking for a <strong>Quality Inspector, Avionics (1st Shift)</strong>, reporting to the <strong>Quality Supervisor</strong>, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.</p>
<p>This will be a <strong>full-time</strong>, <strong>non-exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Long Beach</strong> location. </p>
<p><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Lead inspection execution for complex in-process and final inspections of flight hardware</li>
<li>Provide day-to-day technical leadership and direction to avionics and integration inspectors across shifts, promoting consistent inspection methods, standard interpretation, and workmanship expectations</li>
<li>Support production readiness activities, including daily tag ups, inspection planning, and managing priorities</li>
<li>Act as a quality advocate on the production floor, escalating risks, identifying trends, and driving continuous improvement in avionics inspection and integration processes</li>
<li>Provide detailed in-process inspections on flight hardware, using detailed drawings, CAD models, and established processes to verify conformance to design requirements</li>
<li>Communicate and help resolve quality related issues as they relate to other company products</li>
<li>Process non-conforming products and assist engineering in root cause analysis and corrective action</li>
<li>Routinely observe technical operations and offer guidance and/or serve as an additional technical resource. Evaluate manufacturing compliance to NASA, range safety, and customer, as well as internal specifications to meet launch and mission requirements</li>
<li>Interface with engineering and production to resolve nonconforming material issues</li>
<li>Read, interpret, and work from free form drawings as well as from controlled documentation and processes</li>
<li>Independently perform verifications and document results in a clear, precise, and complete manner</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>High school diploma or equivalency certificate</li>
<li>5+ years of inspection experience in an aerospace, military, or manufacturing environment</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Preferred Skills & Experience:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Experience reading and interpreting design drawings and CAD models</li>
<li>Extensive experience performing dimensional inspections. Experience with aerospace standards</li>
<li>Experience using calibrated inspection tools. Experience with assembling and testing manufactured hardware. Experience with quality assurance principles, methods, and processes. Experience inspecting 3D printed hardware</li>
<li>Intermediate level skill with Google products (Sheets, Slides, etc.</li>
<li>Intermediate level skill with Windows operating systems. Good communication skills and the ability to articulate aerospace hardware and systems problems to technical professionals to initiate resolutions</li>
<li>Substantial knowledge of the control of nonconforming hardware, failure/root cause analysis, corrective, and preventive action processes</li>
<li>Knowledgeable with ISO 9001/AS9100 quality management systems</li>
<li>Experience inspecting solder, crimping, conformal coating, staking, and surface mounted devices in accordance with NASA 8739 and/or IPC-J-STD-001, IPC-A-610 standards</li>
<li>Wire harness experience in accordance with NASA-STD-8739.3 and 8739.4 and/or IPC-A-620 standards </li>
<li>Experience with performing electronic testing and inspection using portable measuring devices</li>
<li>Perform detailed in-process and final inspections on complex flight hardware, including circuit card assemblies, custom harnesses, rack/panel assemblies, and integrated systems</li>
<li>Proficient with computers, the ability to use MS Office, shop floor management software (ERP) and related programs</li>
<li>Ability to work independently with a strong work ethic, be innovative, detail oriented, possess initiative, and team oriented</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones</li>
<li>Must be able to pass a background check and gain access to government facilities</li>
<li>Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted</li>
<li>Must be willing to travel up to 10%</li>
<li>Must be able to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Pay Range: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Quality Inspector III: $33/hr - $46/hr</li>
<li>Senior Quality Inspector: $37 - $53/hr</li>
</ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$33</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$53 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS<br></strong><br>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.</p>
<p style="line-height: 1;"><strong><br>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS<br><br></strong>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 <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> 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.<br><br></p>
<p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong><br><br>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.</p></div>