Legal Counsel (Commercial)

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 a Legal Counsel, reporting to the General Counsel, 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:

• Commercial Contracts: Structure, negotiate, and execute transactions ranging from standard agreements to highly complex deals, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

• High-Value, Bespoke Deal Negotiation: Lead negotiation of significant, complex commercial transactions - such as launch services agreements, strategic partnerships, teaming and joint development agreements, large-scale hardware supply and procurement contracts, and long-term customer commitments.

• Government Contracts: Review government contract opportunities from RFPs to tier one supplier relationships to advise the business on the potential pitfalls and mechanisms for maximizing successes. Leverage practical experience with FAR, DFARS, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) clauses. Support the full life cycle from proposal to negotiation to performance to close out.

• Business Enablement: Provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance that enables teams to move quickly while maintaining appropriate risk controls. Act as a key resource for navigating legal challenges and ensuring Vast’s success with customers–in the U.S. and around the world.

• Cross-Functional Deal Leadership: Partner closely with business development, program management, finance, and engineering leadership throughout the lifecycle of major transactions - coordinating internal stakeholders and outside counsel to drive deals to completion.

• Special Projects: Support our Legal Team on special projects, as requested, and work independently with our internal legal support staff and other internal partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in a legal role at a private company or law firm.

• Subject matter expertise in commercial contracts and/or government contracts.

• JD with admission to practice law in a state bar in good standing and able to practice in-house in California.

• Strong problem-solving experience and skills.

• Strong verbal and writing skills.

• Process-oriented and team player.

• Good judgment and the ability to balance risk and productivity in a business environment.

• Ability to work independently or collaboratively in a fast-pace environment.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• A strong ability to inspire trust, forge relationships quickly, and earn the confidence and cooperation of business stakeholders.

• Diligent and proactive, you have demonstrated excellent legal and business judgment, technical acumen, communication skills and strategic thinking, along with the ability to work independently and cross-functionally with excellent time management and prioritization skills.

• Comfortable with and responsive to rapid developments and changes in direction; eager to learn new tech, products, and substantive legal areas to support multiple roles within the legal department.

• Familiarity with the aerospace industry and its unique legal challenges Ability to identify and mitigate legal risks while enabling business objectives.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range: California

$155,000—$221,000 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSBase salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITYVast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.