Legal Counsel

Long Beach, California, United States

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026. 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 Legal Counsel, reporting to the General Counsel, to provide an array of legal support to include government contracts, commercial contracts, and other matters required for the design and build of next generation human-rated space stations

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Commercial Contracts: Structure, negotiate, and finalize technology transactions ranging from standard agreements to highly complex deals, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
  • Government Contracts: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including legal, policy, finance, sourcing/supply chain and business development, to develop and implement government contracting strategies. Assess contracting opportunities and translate the complexities of the government procurement ecosystem into agreements that align with Vast’s initiatives.
  • Drafting: Draft, negotiate, and execute sophisticated contracts with government agencies, prime contractors, and subcontractors, ensuring full compliance with FAR, NFS, DFARS, and other agency supplements , agency-specific requirements, and other applicable laws. Advise on risk allocation and regulatory obligations.
  • Internal Stakeholders: Provide legal counsel and strategic guidance to internal stakeholders on a wide range of government contracting matters, including compliance, bid strategies, contract performance, and dispute resolution. Act as a key resource for navigating regulatory challenges and ensuring Vast’s success with government customers–in the U.S. and around the world.
  • Special Projects: Support our General Counsel and two Associate General Counsels 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, law firm, or government agency 
  • Subject matter expertise in government and commercial 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
  • Experience handling matters in 2-3 of the following areas: investigations and related processes, data privacy, commercial litigation, cybersecurity
  • 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. 
  • Experience drafting and enforcing policies compliant with government contract requirements. 
  • 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; willing 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 
  • Willingness to learn new areas of law and triage issues 

Additional Requirements:

  • Ability to travel up to 15% of the time
  • Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted
  • Specific certifications, as appropriate

Pay Range: 

  • Legal Counsel : $145,000 -$195,000

Salary Range: California

$145,000 - $195,000 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
 
Base 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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, free catered meals and snacks and beverages, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.

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

Vast 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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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 be considered for deemed export licensing. To assist Vast in assessing its export compliance obligations in relation to your application, please identify which ITAR/EAR status applies to you:

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