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 Subcontracts Specialist, Indirect reporting to the Director of Indirect Supply Chain, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Develop category specific strategies for Indirect (Facilities, Capital Equipment and Services) to deliver high quality and low cost solutions for Vast Operations and Manufacturing Customers
- Interface with key Vast Customers including Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering and and senior leadership to understand the strategic direction, capital requirements and business priorities
- Manage the procurement process – RFI/RFQ/RFPs, negotiations, etc. – for Indirect projects. Scope includes managing supplier planning and execution, coordination, contract preparation, negotiation and execution.
- Directly manage suppliers for Indirect spend (including equipment, engineering & design, and construction), category through supplier scorecards, quarterly business reviews; measuring contract compliance and other key metrics to ensure targets/ schedules are being met and value is being delivered to the business
- Ensure all sourcing activities are conducted in accordance with proper procedures and protocols. Track execution to sourcing and procuring plans for all projects per cost and timeline
- Seek alternate and innovative ideas to provide business solutions, challenge requirements and specifications to create competitive advantage
Minimum Qualifications
- Familiarity and experience in negotiating contracts and terms and conditions, specifically AIA Agreements
- Experience in all aspects of the Indirect Procurement process, from demand identification through fulfillment
- Associates degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Bachelors of Science degree in Business or Engineering discipline
- Experience with subcontracts, purchasing or contracts within an aerospace environment
- Negotiation skills with contracts exceeding $1 million with tight deadline requirements
- Experience in conducting presentations to senior leadership
Additional Requirements
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
- Willingness to work evenings and/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
- Familiarity and experience negotiating contracts and terms and conditions, specifically AIA Agreements
- Experience in all aspects of the Indirect Procurement process, from demand identification through fulfillment
- Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
- Must be a U.S. person or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Bachelor of Science degree in Business or Engineering discipline
- Experience with subcontracts, purchasing or contracts within an aerospace environment
- Negotiation experience with contracts exceeding $1 million under tight deadlines
- Experience in conducting presentations to senior leadership
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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