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Key details
Why this role is notable
A commercial space station company with a flying, operating spacecraft is building a full in-house legal function, a sign it is moving from prototype testing toward contracts, liability, and government relationships that a launch-stage startup would normally outsource.
Job Description
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 lead the regulatory and national security compliance framework that governs how Vast designs, builds, exports, licenses, and operates spacecraft. You will be the in-house legal lead for export controls, FCC and spectrum licensing, CFIUS, facility clearance and FOCI mitigation, and space policy. You will lead and strengthen the compliance foundation that supports Vast’s national security, satellite, and international business.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach, CA; Washington DC; or Houston, TX locations.
Responsibilities:
- Export Controls: Lead Vast’s export compliance program, including serving as the company’s Empowered Official with purview over all aspects of the company’s compliance with both the ITAR and EAR. Support export classification determinations and export authorizations (including TAAs, DSP5s, EAR licenses and license exceptions). Advise cross-functionally across all business teams on technology transfer, foreign person access, deemed exports, and international collaboration. Oversee compliance reviews, audits, investigations, and disclosures as needed
- FCC & Spectrum Licensing: Oversee FCC licensing for Vast’s missions, including Part 25 applications, experimental licenses, and spectrum coordination. Coordinate with NTIA and international administrations on filings and interference matters. Support Vast’s ground segment providers and customers in their applications
- CFIUS & Foreign Investment: Advise on CFIUS implications of financings, strategic investments, joint ventures, and international partnerships. Work with outside counsel in support of any necessary filings and related compliance obligations
- Facility Clearance & FOCI Mitigation: Serve as lead legal point of contact for Vast’s facility clearance (FCL) strategy and its relationship with DCSA under 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM). Structure and implement FOCI mitigation instruments, such as board resolutions, Security Control Agreements, Special Security Agreements, and Proxy Agreements, and partner with Security on governance, outside director, and compliance requirements
- Space Policy & Regulatory Engagement: Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments affecting commercial space, including FAA payload reviews, NOAA remote sensing licensing, mission authorization, and space traffic management. Partner with Government Affairs on rule making comments, agency engagement, and policy positions
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with Security, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Development, Government Affairs, Finance, and outside counsel so that compliance supports business speed instead of slowing it down
- Special Projects: Support the Legal team on special projects as requested, and work independently with internal legal support staff and other partners
Minimum Qualifications:
- JD with admission to practice law in a state bar in good standing, and ability to practice in-house in California, the District of Columbia, or Texas
- 9+ years of experience in a legal role at a law firm, aerospace and defense company, or space company, with substantial experience in export controls and national security regulatory matters
- Strong problem-solving, verbal, and writing skills
- Good judgment and the ability to balance risk and productivity in a business environment
- Process-oriented, collaborative, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- In-house experience at an aerospace and defense prime contractor or a space company, leading export, trade compliance, or national security regulatory functions
- Hands-on experience negotiating FOCI mitigation agreements with DCSA and supporting facility clearance processes
- Experience preparing CFIUS filings and negotiating or administering mitigation agreements
- Experience with FCC Part 25 licensing, ITU coordination, or satellite spectrum matters
- Familiarity with FAA payload reviews and NOAA commercial remote sensing licensing regimes
- Experience building or scaling a trade compliance program in a high-growth environment
- Active U.S. security clearance (Secret or above)
- Ability to inspire trust, forge relationships quickly, and earn the confidence of engineering and business stakeholders
- Demonstrated legal and business judgment, technical acumen, communication skills, and strategic thinking, with excellent time management and prioritization
- Comfort with rapid change and a drive to learn new technologies, products, and substantive legal areas
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
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 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: 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 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.
