At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. 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 seeking a Legal Counsel to join our growing legal team, reporting directly to the General Counsel. This role will focus primarily on commercial contracts (approximately 60%)—particularly within supply chain and manufacturing; medical team support (approximately 20%); as well as other critical legal matters supporting the design and construction of next-generation human-rated space stations. The remaining 20% will be focused on special projects.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Commercial Contracts – Supply Chain & Manufacturing
- Draft, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements, with a focus on supply chain, and manufacturing.
- Support sourcing, engineering, and operations teams in structuring processes and contracts that balance legal protection and operational efficiency.
- Provide guidance in coordination with subject matter experts on key legal terms, including IP rights, indemnities, warranties, and regulatory compliance.
- Build and scale robust internal processes and partner with others on implementation and improvement of business systems.
- Medical Team Support
- Support expansion of space medicine capabilities and the related complexities.
- Enhance internal processes and coordination across departments.
- Leverage knowledge of related areas such as supply chain, ethics & compliance, and data privacy.
- Strategic Legal Advisory & Cross-Functional Support
- Provide timely, business-oriented legal advice to stakeholders across multiple departments.
- Identify and manage legal risks while enabling innovation and execution speed.
- Support sensitive legal matters such as claims, investigations, compliance concerns, and dispute resolution.
- Collaborate on special projects and assist the General Counsel and Associate General Counsels with evolving priorities.
Minimum Qualifications:
- JD with active admission to a U.S. state bar in good standing; eligible to practice in-house in California.
- 2+ years of experience in a legal role within a law firm, private company, or government agency.
- Subject matter expertise in commercial contracting.
- Experience supporting supply chain and manufacturing legal operations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills; excellent judgment and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Deep understanding of aerospace industry legal frameworks, especially related to government and technology contracts.
- Strong relationship-building skills with both internal teams and external partners.
- Proactive and pragmatic approach to legal counseling and risk management.
- Demonstrated ability to manage shifting priorities and take initiative in unfamiliar legal areas.
- Familiarity with internal policy development and enforcement in a highly regulated environment.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends.
- Specific certifications, as appropriate.
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
Skills Required
- 2+ years of experience in a legal role
- JD with active admission to a U.S. state bar in good standing
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
Vast Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vast and has not been reviewed or approved by Vast.
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents from day one, alongside primary care and mental‑health programs. These provisions are repeatedly emphasized as a core part of the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Information highlights generous PTO with an annual cash‑out option, paid parental leave, sick time, and company holidays, with flexible PTO for exempt staff. These features indicate broad time‑off support across multiple needs.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Onsite meals and snacks, fitness memberships or stipends, and wellness resources (e.g., One Medical and Spring Health) are prominently offered. Such perks appear designed to enhance daily work experience and overall wellbeing.
Vast Insights
What We Do
Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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 2026, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. With more than 1,000 employees at its Long Beach, California headquarters and over a billion dollars in private capital invested, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
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