Production Manager, Fluid Systems

Vast

$133K — $188K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in aerospace, automotive, or complex manufacturing roles.
  • 1.5+ years leading production teams in assembly or fabrication settings.
  • Cross-functional collaboration experience with Manufacturing and Design teams.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee daily execution of build plans in safety, quality, and delivery.
  • Guide supervisors and technicians to hit production targets.
  • Identify production blockers and liaise with Engineering and Quality teams.
  • Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering and Design for issue resolution.
  • Ensure compliance with work instructions and configuration control.
  • Analyze and enhance production metrics like throughput and scrap rates.
  • Manage staffing plans to align with program milestones.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation and parental leave.
  • Short and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
  • Access to a 401(k) retirement plan and company equity.
  • Wellness perks including ClassPass credits and personalized mental healthcare.
  • Unique food perks with free snacks and meals, and subsidized lunches.
Full Job Description
Vast is looking for a Production Manager, reporting to the Director, Vehicle Systems 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:
  • Own daily execution of build plan across assigned work centers (safety, quality, delivery).
  • Lead supervisors and technicians to achieve takt-based production targets.
  • Identify and escalate production blockers to Engineering, Quality, or Program teams.
  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and Design Engineering to resolve build issues and improve manufacturability.
  • Drive adherence to work instructions, planning, and configuration control.
  • Monitor and improve key production metrics (throughput, labor hours, rework, scrap).
  • Ensure staffing plans and shift coverage support program milestones.
  • Maintain visual management of production status and recovery plans.
  • Support implementation of PFMEA-driven process controls and standard work.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of experience in aerospace, automotive, or other high-complexity manufacturing environments.
  • 1.5+ years of experience leading production teams in an assembly or fabrication environment.
  • Experience working cross-functionally with Manufacturing Engineering and Design teams.

Preferred Skills & Experience:
  • Experience supporting vehicle structures or final integration environments.
  • Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and PFMEA.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings and production planning.
  • Experience scaling from development to higher-rate production.
  • Strong escalation judgment and production recovery planning.

Additional Requirements:
  • Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
  • Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
  • Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.


Pay Range: California

$133,000-$188,000 USD

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 STATUSThe 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.

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