Manager, Investigations and Intelligence

Vast is looking for a Manager, Investigations & Intelligence, reporting to the Senior Director, Security & Intelligence, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. The Manager, Investigations & Intelligence will lead investigative and intelligence programs that proactively protect our people, property, space stations, mission control, astronauts, and operations both on Earth and beyond. This position plays a critical role in safeguarding those who are pioneering the future of space exploration. If you are passionate about leading complex investigations, producing actionable intelligence, and shaping strategic protection initiatives within a company building humanity’s future in space, this role is for you.

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

Responsibilities: 

Leadership & Program Management

• Lead the function responsible for investigative operations and intelligence analysis that support Vast’s global protection and operational objectives.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for investigations and intelligence that aligns with Vast’s mission, culture, and evolving risk landscape.
• Partner closely with the Manager, Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) and Manager, Security Operations, to align investigative and intelligence activities with real-time operational response capabilities.

Investigations

• Direct and oversee sensitive and complex investigations.  Improve and maintain investigative standards, documentation practices, and reporting frameworks to ensure consistency, compliance, and transparency.
• Collaborate with Legal, People, Cybersecurity, and Compliance teams to ensure all investigations are conducted ethically, legally, and with the utmost discretion.
• Analyze investigative trends and metrics to identify systemic risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on investigative matters, providing insight and recommendations for future prevention and response.

Intelligence

• Design, lead, and sustain a proactive intelligence program that delivers timely, relevant, and actionable insights to decision-makers across Vast.
• Oversee intelligence collection, analysis, and dissemination across domains, including geopolitical, aerospace, foreign intelligence, criminal, cyber, and insider threats.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external intelligence vendors, industry partners, and law enforcement to enhance threat awareness and response readiness.
• Produce high-quality intelligence reports, threat assessments, and executive briefings to inform operational and strategic decisions.
• Continuously assess emerging risks, technologies, and trends to inform long-term security and operational planning.

Threat Management & Protective Support

• Collaborate with the GSOC on protective intelligence and threat management frameworks that support Vast’s people and mission-critical assets.
• Ensure GSOC and investigative functions work in coordination to assess, track, and manage threats in real time.
• Collaborate with Operations, Cybersecurity, and the People team to fuse digital and physical intelligence for comprehensive threat analysis and mitigation.
• Advise on executive protection and event security planning through the application of investigative findings and intelligence assessments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Work collaboratively with Legal, People, Cybersecurity, and Operations to drive integrated risk management and proactive protection measures.
• Partner with the Legal/Compliance teams to ensure compliance with ITAR/EAR export control requirements.
• Provide executive-level briefings and recommendations to the Senior Director and other stakeholders to inform strategic decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in investigations and intelligence analysis, including experience leading or managing programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, intelligence studies, international relations, security management, or a related field.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Intelligence Studies, Security Management, or International Relations).
• Proven experience conducting or overseeing sensitive internal investigations in corporate, defense, or government environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build or manage enterprise intelligence programs that drive operational and strategic decision-making.
• Experience collaborating with legal, compliance, and People partners to address sensitive matters ethically and effectively.
• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex findings to executive audiences.
• Familiarity with investigative software, intelligence platforms, and data analysis tools.
• Ability to manage confidential information and high-stakes issues with discretion and sound judgment.
• Willingness and ability to respond to emergent incidents and intelligence needs outside normal business hours.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, intelligence, or government sectors, or other highly regulated industries.
• Professional certifications such as CFE, CPP, PCI, PSP, or CFI.
• Experience in protective intelligence, insider threat mitigation, and geopolitical risk assessment.
• Established relationships with external intelligence and law enforcement partners.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 5% of the time.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Strong alignment with Vast’s mission and culture of innovation, integrity, and exploration.