Avionics Manufacturing Engineer, Wiring Harnesses
Vast · Long Beach, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $93k–$133k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Vast (aerospace & defense) in Long Beach, CA. Collaborate with design teams to provide input on the manufacturability and assembly processes of avionics components and wire harnesses.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, CATIA / NX
- Base pay
- $93k–$133k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $114k–$167k. This one lists $93k–$133k.
Median of the low and high ends of 117 live postings that list pay, out of 320 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 319 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 16% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $111k–$159k, from 104 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 53%
- ✓ New product launch 51%
- ✓ Root cause 40%
- Automation 35%
- Machining 29%
- ✓ CATIA / NX 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Vast
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Joanne → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
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If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Vast in Long Beach
28 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at Vast.
- Avionics System Test Operations Engineer · Production
- Senior Supplier Reliability Engineer · Reliability · Senior
- Supplier Reliability Engineer - Metallic Materials & Processes · Reliability
- Additive Manufacturing Specialist · Manufacturing · Specialist
- Build Reliability Engineer - Avionics · Reliability
- Build Reliability Engineer - Fluid Systems · Reliability
Full description from VastAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Collaborate with design teams to provide input on the manufacturability and assembly processes of avionics components and wire harnesses.
- ◆Develop and optimize manufacturing processes and onboard equipment for avionics systems, considering factors such as efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
- ◆Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent and accurate production of avionics systems.
- ◆Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges by conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
- ◆Work closely with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality avionics components, reviewing and approving supplier manufacturing processes.
- ◆Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of avionics systems, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards.
- ◆Participate in design reviews, providing valuable insights to improve the manufacturability and reliability of avionics components.
- ◆Collaborate with quality assurance teams to establish and maintain rigorous quality control processes for avionics manufacturing.
- ◆Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall product quality.
- ◆Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in avionics manufacturing to drive innovation within the company.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- ✓5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, preferably in the aerospace or avionics industry.
Preferred Skills & Experience
- ✓Strong understanding of avionics systems, electronics manufacturing processes, and assembly techniques.
- ✓Proficiency in CAD software (such as Siemens NX) for reviewing designs and creating manufacturing documentation.
- ✓Familiarity with industry standards and regulations relevant to avionics manufacturing, such as IPC standards.
- ✓Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to perform root cause analysis.
- ✓Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross- functional teams.
- ✓Hands-on experience with testing and troubleshooting avionics systems is desirable.
- ✓Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies is a plus.
- ✓Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
Additional
Requirements
- ✓Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
- ✓Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.
qualifications
and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethni
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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 looking for an Avionics Manufacturing Engineer , reporting to the Senior Manager of Avionics, 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 , exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Pay Range
- •Avionics Manufacturing Engineer I: $93,480 - $132,696
- •Avionics Manufacturing Engineer II: $120,540 - $$171,108
Pay Range: California
$93,000 — $171,108 USD