Manager, Supplier Reliability

Vast is looking for a Manager, Supplier Reliability, reporting to the Director of Build & Supplier Reliability, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. 

This role will lead a team of Supplier Reliability Engineers responsible for ensuring suppliers are capable, controlled, and prepared to support the build of human-rated space station hardware. The Supplier Reliability Manager will drive supplier readiness, resolve supplier-related risks, and ensure supplier performance supports integration, test, and flight milestones.

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

Responsibilities: 

• Lead and develop a team of Supplier Reliability Engineers, establishing clear ownership by commodity or program and building the capability needed to support current and future vehicle production
• Own supplier reliability outcomes across assigned commodities, ensuring stable supplier performance, reduced escapes, and readiness to support build, integration, and flight schedules
• Develop and mature the people, processes, and systems required to move from reactive issue resolution to proactive supplier development, including supplier qualification, onboarding, performance management, and production readiness
• Drive implementation of transparent supplier metrics, scorecards, and review mechanisms, and use data to identify risk early, prioritize work, and improve supplier quality and delivery performance
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Mission Assurance to align supplier requirements, qualification methods, and acceptance criteria, ensuring suppliers are capable before hardware is released to build
• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and capability assessments, expanding and strengthening the qualified supply base across key commodities
• Oversee investigation and resolution of supplier nonconformances and delivery disruptions, ensuring timely root cause, corrective action, and verification of effectiveness
• Standardize supplier qualification, audit, and production validation methods to support consistent execution across programs and suppliers
• Ensure supplier performance data, qualification status, and risk visibility are accessible and usable by program, engineering, and procurement leadership
• Travel to supplier sites as required to support qualification, audits, readiness reviews, investigations, and recovery efforts

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field
• Experience leading a team of engineers
• Experience working with suppliers, manufacturing, and hardware development in aerospace, automotive, or other complex hardware environments
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and test or inspection requirements
• Experience investigating hardware, process, or supplier-related issues and driving problems to resolution
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and ability to work with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and external suppliers
• Willingness to travel to supplier sites as needed

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience supporting flight hardware, space systems, launch vehicles, aviation, automotive, or other high-reliability products. Familiarity with special processes such as welding, machining, coatings, composites, electronics, or complex assemblies.
• Experience with supplier qualification, audits, production readiness reviews, or new product introduction. Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, or similar production validation methods.
• Experience developing supplier metrics, scorecards, or performance management systems. Experience building or improving processes, tools, or systems in a growing or fast-paced production environment
• Experience driving root cause and corrective action with external suppliers using structured problem-solving methods
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or structured problem-solving methods (Black Belt certification is a plus)
• Experience in startup, rapid development, or production ramp environments

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Pay Range: 

• Manager, Supplier Reliability: $143,500 - $203,700
• Senior Manager, Supplier Reliability: $164,000 - $232,800