Embarking on a career in the mechanical trade typically begins with an apprenticeship, combining practical experience with structured learning over a period of about four to five years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 3 million mechanical trades professionals nationwide, and ongoing demand driven by sectors such as manufacturing and construction in Long Beach, CA. The average weekly wage for a mechanical trade worker in Long Beach, CA hovers around $1,800, offering an annual earning potential surpassing $94,000 for experienced professionals. Programs through vocational schools, unions, and platforms like Apprenticeship.gov can guide aspiring mechanical trades professionals, leading to a fulfilling career with robust financial rewards.
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 May 2026. 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 Mechanical Engineer reporting to the Structures Department to help us with the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach, CA location. The Structures team covers a wide range of components and responsibilities: from the primary pressure hull, to MMOD shielding, establishing loads and Factors of Safety, as well as supporting other teams mechanical design needs across the company. Responsibilities: • Own the design of primary and secondary structures on a large scale space station. • Develop an understanding of static and dynamic loads, vibrations, thermal and other environmental considerations to drive design decisions. • Perform mechanical design and analysis, develop manufacturing drawings, test plans, and concept of operations and follow hardware through the entire process. • Lead trades and own interfaces with all sub systems. • Work with fabricators and technicians to improve designs, develop processes and resolve issues. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or physics. • 3+ years experience with CAD and FEA software packages. • 3+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical components or systems. Preferred Skills & Experience: • Design of structures and components for a high-performance vehicle or spacecraft. • Proactive problem-solving skills such as failure analysis and root cause investigation. • Prior experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. • Design work in recent versions of NX, Teamcenter. • Analysis work in recent versions of Ansys, FeMap/Nastran, Abaqus. • Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5). • Familiarity with spacecraft specifications such as SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001. Pay Ranges: • Mechanical Engineer I: $80,000 - $110,000 • Mechanical Engineer II: $100,000 - $140,000 • Senior Mechanical Engineer: $135,000 - $170,000 • Staff Mechanical Engineer: $160,000 - $200,000 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: 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.
See More Details >>COMPANY DESCRIPTION: Nikon SLM Solutions is a leading provider of metal based additive manufacturing technology, commonly referred to as 3D printers, utilizing selective laser melting and powder bed fusion technology. Our 3D printers are designed to produce parts directly from a variety of metal powders. The customers for our metal based additive manufacturing systems come from various industries such as aerospace, energy, healthcare, and automotive. Headquartered in Lübeck Germany, Nikon SLM Solutions has approximately 600 employees worldwide. POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Mechanical Installer is responsible for assembling, disassembling, and packaging machines to support US operations. This role focuses on mechanical functions and ensures that facilities and auxiliary equipment are maintained in optimal condition to support production and manufacturing activities. The Mechanical Installer plays a key role in maintaining efficiency and readiness in our Long Beach operations facility. CANDIDATE RESPONSIBILITIES: • Assemble Nikon SLM machines delivered from third-party manufacturers, with a primary focus on mechanical components. • Disassemble and package machines for ground, air, or ocean transport. • Install, maintain, and repair facilities equipment. • Support installation, maintenance, and repair of auxiliary machines, such as CNC equipment, bandsaws, and wire EDM systems. • Ensure all tasks are performed in compliance with safety standards and operational guidelines. CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS: • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience. • Minimum of 2-3 years in production facility operations, including assembly, rigging, and maintenance. • Expertise in industrial machine repair, rigging, and functional testing; familiarity with process management. • Forklift and overhead crane certification (training provided by Nikon SLM); must be a US person (ITAR compliance). OUR COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE INCLUDES: • Health coverage including medical, dental, and vision • 401(k) plan and 4% match • Holiday Pay and Paid Time Off • Paid parental leave • Gym reimbursement • Tuition reimbursement • Company-paid disability coverage • Company-paid life insurance Nikon SLM Solutions is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship or Green Card is required.
See More Details >>SpinLaunch is a space technology company committed to revolutionizing access to space by enabling the rapid, cost-effective deployment of launch, satellites, and services. With backing from industry leaders in venture capital and engineering, including Airbus Ventures, GV (formerly Google Ventures), and Kleiner Perkins, we are primed to advance the commercialization of our end-to-end space solutions. At SpinLaunch, you'll be at the forefront of transforming the entire space landscape - creating a more affordable and sustainable space industry. Join us in our mission and be an integral part of a close-knit, collaborative team that strives in a fast-paced, innovative environment. This is a full-time, on-site position located at our Long Beach, CA headquarters. Your Mission on the Team: • Own the full lifecycle of a wide range of critical satellite structures, mechanisms, and thermal management devices - from concept through orbit • Use CAD, programming environments, hand calcs, and spreadsheets to design for cost-effectiveness, reliability and robustness in launch and space environments • Perform finite element and thermal analyses, characterize spacecraft structural dynamics, determine factors of safety, and predict on-orbit behavior • Develop methods for highly-efficient placement of satellites within a launch vehicle fairing, design interfaces, and separation systems • Solve complex engineering problems, implement creative solutions, rapidly iterate through designs, and react quickly to unforeseen challenges • Assemble, integrate, and test hardware • Collaborate effectively with an interdisciplinary team of highly-motivated engineers • Generate drawings employing GD&T best practices • Perform trade studies, cost estimation, vendor assessment, and inform project schedules • Effectively communicate technical concepts and details with internal and external stakeholders Basic Qualifications: • 3+ years professional aerospace mechanical design/development experience • Skill in using and creating software tools to model systems performance across a variety of disciplines (MATLAB, Python, Excel, etc.) • Strong understanding of structural mechanics, materials, dynamics, and manufacturing methods • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or related field • Strong interpersonal, verbal communication, and written communication skills • Ability to rapidly expand application-specific knowledge and skills where necessary • Capacity to work autonomously • Passion for understanding complexity and finding answers to challenging questions Preferred Qualifications: • 7+ years professional spacecraft design/development experience • Master's degree in Engineering, or related field • Previous experience with: (1) designing low-cost satellites intended for high production volumes (2) designing spacecraft for launch vehicle interfaces and analyzing launch loads, and/or (3) spacecraft assembly, integration, and test • Breadth of understanding of other spacecraft subsystems and general knowledge of satellite operations ITAR Requirements SpinLaunch is required by the U.S. Government to comply with various space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident ("green card holder") or a protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information on ITAR can be found here. SpinLaunch is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Each individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal employment opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices, including harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
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