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 Head of Civil Programs, reporting to the Chief Policy Officer, to define and lead Vast’s strategy, engagement, and execution for NASA programs across Haven-1 and future Vast programs.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located on-site at our Long Beach, CA location.

Responsibilities

Program Capture and Growth

Lead capture efforts for NASA programs, from early opportunity shaping through proposal and award.
Guide competitive positioning, teaming strategies, and proposal development in coordination with internal stakeholders.
Develop and manage a multi-year NASA opportunity pipeline aligned with agency planning cycles and budgets.

Civil Space Strategy

Develop and own Vast’s NASA civil space strategy aligned with agency priorities, mission needs, and program capabilities.
Identify near-term and long-range NASA mission opportunities that leverage Haven-1 and future Vast programs.
Provide strategic guidance to company leadership on program focus, timing, and positioning.
Apply first principles thinking to Government needs to shape programs to rapidly deliver superior results for the Nation.
Collaborate closely with Vast’s Government Affairs team and external advisors.

NASA Engagement and Mission Development

Build and maintain senior-level relationships across NASA Headquarters, Mission Directorates, and Centers.
Serve as one of Vast’s primary executive interfaces with NASA stakeholders.
Work closely with internal teams to translate NASA objectives into viable mission concepts and program approaches.

Strategy-to-Execution Alignment

Ensure NASA requirements and expectations are clearly understood across engineering, program, legal, and operations teams.
Support technical and programmatic reviews, milestones, and customer engagements as programs mature.
Help establish program foundations that enable successful execution beyond contract award.

External Representation

Represent Vast at NASA-focused forums, customer meetings, and industry events.
Present Vast station and future system capabilities and operational concepts to NASA stakeholders.
Support the development of NASA-facing narratives and outreach materials as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related technical field.
10+ years of experience working with NASA or NASA-funded civil space programs.
Demonstrated success leading NASA program capture, proposal efforts, or mission development.
Strong understanding of NASA program lifecycles and operational environments.
Excellent communication skills across technical, programmatic, and executive audiences.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Master’s degree in engineering, systems engineering, or business.
Experience with human spaceflight systems, in-space infrastructure, or operational space programs.
Familiarity with NASA processes for advancing programs from concept through operations.
Ability to lead complex efforts independently in a fast-moving environment.
Passion for building the operational and technological foundations for sustained human presence in space.

Additional Requirements

Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.

Pay Range: California

$235,000—$294,000 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, 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.

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.

Head of Civil Programs

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