Production Manager, Avionics Manufacturing

VAST · Los Angeles

Hardware & Electricalposted 2mo ago

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 seeking a Production Manager, Avionics Manufacturing, reporting to the Manager of Avionics Manufacturing, to support the development and production of the systems required for the design and construction of human-rated space stations.The Production Manager is responsible for the safe, quality-driven, and schedule-aligned execution of avionics manufacturing operations, including wire harness assembly, electromechanical integration, cable fabrication, box builds, and avionics hardware assembly. This role leads frontline supervisors, technicians, and production personnel across multiple work centers and is accountable for meeting daily, weekly, and program-level production objectives while supporting continuous improvement and production scalability.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

Own execution of daily avionics manufacturing operations, including wire harness fabrication, cable assemblies, electromechanical builds, and avionics integration activities
Lead technicians, assemblers, and supervisors to safely achieve production throughput, quality, and delivery targets
Ensure compliance with workmanship and quality standards, including IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-610, and J-STD-001 requirements
Collaborate closely with Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Production Planning teams to resolve manufacturing issues and maintain production flow
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on labor efficiency, throughput, first-pass yield, defect reduction, and schedule adherence
Identify production constraints related to materials, tooling, work instructions, test equipment, staffing, and manufacturing processes, and lead corrective actions
Partner with the Quality Department to investigate nonconformances, implement corrective actions, and strengthen process controls
Establish and maintain visual management systems, production metrics, and escalation paths to ensure clear visibility of manufacturing performance
Lead efforts to improve manufacturing readiness and scalability, supporting the transition from development builds to higher-rate production
Optimize workstation layouts, assembly processes, material flow, and production planning to support future growth
Ensure manufacturing documentation, travelers, work instructions, and process controls are accurate and maintained
Support program milestones through proactive planning, risk identification, and recovery execution when required

Minimum Qualifications:

5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics manufacturing, or other high-reliability production environments
2+ years of experience leading technicians, assemblers, or production teams in an avionics, electronics, or electromechanical manufacturing environment
Experience managing wire harness, cable assembly, electromechanical integration, or avionics production activities

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Strong knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-610, and J-STD-001 workmanship standards
Experience working cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Production Planning, and Test Engineering organizations
Familiarity with aerospace-quality management systems and controlled manufacturing environments
Experience with wire harness fabrication, cable routing, connector assembly, crimping, soldering, and avionics box-build integration
Strong understanding of ESD controls, configuration management, and traceability requirements
Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, PFMEA, and continuous improvement methodologies
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, and assembly instructions
Experience scaling manufacturing operations from prototype/development builds to low-rate and full-rate production
Proven success improving first-pass yield, reducing rework, improving labor efficiency, and increasing production throughput
Strong understanding of production planning, capacity management, resource allocation, and manufacturing KPI development

Additional Requirements:

Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Pay Range: California

$132,000—$188,000 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.

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.