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 looking for a Senior Mission Manager, reporting to the Vice President of Mission Management, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
The Senior Mission Manager is fully responsible for end-to-end mission success for highly complex, crewed missions. This role serves as the primary customer interface and internal mission lead from contract award through on-orbit execution and mission closeout.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Personally responsible for end-to-end mission success (contract award through on-orbit operations and return where applicable)
- Serve as primary point of contact for customers
- Own and negotiate ICDs defining all interface requirements between:
- Customer hardware and Haven space stations
- Crew transport vehicles
- Launch providers and ground systems
- Lead integration of:
- All tasks necessary to successfully execute a mission including contract deliverables to/from customers, tracking hardware/software readiness, ground and crew operator readiness, and overall execution of Vast Flight Readiness
- Pressurized payloads and cargo lifecycle
- Drive risk management, issue resolution, and cross-functional execution
- Lead integrated master schedule development tied to contractual milestones
- Coordinate with mission operations, engineering, production, and leadership teams
- Support Business Development with pre-sales engineering, customer meetings, and contract negotiations
- Trusted to represent Vast to key external stakeholders and customers
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or technical discipline
- 8+ years of experience in systems engineering, technical program management, or customer-facing mission execution roles
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Direct experience with human spaceflight missions (ISS, free flyer, or commercial crew)
- Familiarity with NASA human spaceflight policies and procedures
- Working knowledge of crew vehicle systems
- Experience leading launch integration campaigns
- ICD negotiation with external stakeholders
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
- Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
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
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or technical discipline
- 8+ years of experience in systems engineering, technical program management, or customer-facing mission execution roles
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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