Associate General Counsel
Required skills
- JD
- state bar
- in-house
- California
- District of Columbia
- U.S. government security clearance
- verbal skills
- writing skills
- good judgment
- risk management
Nice to have
- satellite
- space
- aerospace
- defense industry
- OTs
- SDA
Role summary
Vast is seeking an Associate General Counsel to serve as the in-house legal lead for its national security and satellite business. Reporting to the General Counsel, this role will advise on contracts, regulatory regimes, and security requirements for designing, building, selling, and operating spacecraft for defense, intelligence, and allied customers. Responsibilities include negotiating FAR/DFARS-based contracts, structuring bespoke deals for satellite and space systems, supporting international engagements, and providing business-oriented legal guidance. The position requires 9+ years of experience in government contracts and/or national security-related transactions, a JD, and the ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance. Experience in the aerospace and defense industry is preferred.
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 an Associate General 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. You will be the in-house legal lead for Vast’s national security and satellite business, advising on the contracts, regulatory regimes, and security requirements that govern how Vast designs, builds, sells, and operates spacecraft for defense, intelligence, and allied customers.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach OR Washington DC locations.
Responsibilities:
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Skills & Experience:
Additional Requirements:
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.
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