Materials Testing Technician III
Vast
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 August 2025. 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 Materials Testing Technician III, reporting to the Manager of Materials and Processes, to support the testing and development of the materials and 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.
This role will be for our swing shift. The hours are 12PM - 8PM.
Responsibilities:
- Operate equipment and software to create data reports for standardized mechanical tests including tensile, compression, fatigue, and hardness
- Perform metallurgical sample preparation including cutting, mounting, grinding, polishing, and acid etching
- Assist in materials and processes characterization utilizing tools including optical microscopy, SEM, and FTIR
- Maintain and troubleshoot lab equipment/instruments/tools
- Contribute to installation and commissioning of new machines used for materials testing and qualification
- Collaborate with engineering teams to collect data and develop testing to support space station and rocket engine design and development
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 5+ years of experience in mechanical testing
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Strong knowledge of ASTM/ISO test methods and testing best practices
- Experience in metallurgical sample preparation
- Knowledge of tensile/fatigue test fixture setup, computer programs, and test frames
- Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to work closely with other technicians and engineering groups
- Strong organizational skills to keep workplace tidy and maintain workflow
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities
- Extreme attention to detail
- Experience in aerospace manufacturing industries is preferred
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
Pay Range:
- Materials Testing Technician III: $28.00 - 38.00 per hour
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
