Legal Counsel

VastLong Beach, California

$155,000 - $221,000 / year

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Overview

Schedule

Full-time

Career level

Senior-level

Remote

On-site

Compensation

$155,000-$221,000/year

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Job Description

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 Legal 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.

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

Responsibilities:

Commercial Contracts: Structure, negotiate, and execute transactions ranging from standard agreements to highly complex deals, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements
Business Enablement: Provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance that enables teams to move quickly while maintaining appropriate risk controls. Act as a key resource for navigating legal challenges and ensuring Vast’s success with customers–in the U.S. and around the world
Special Projects: Support our General Counsel and Associate General Counsel on special projects, as requested, and work independently with our internal legal support staff and other internal partners
Intellectual Property Management: Oversee and manage Vast’s intellectual property portfolio, including coordination of patent, trademark, and trade secret matters; support IP strategy, filings, maintenance, enforcement, licensing, and related risk mitigation in alignment with business objectives and technology development
Process & Template Development: Help build and improve contract templates, playbooks, intake processes, and approval workflows to support faster, more consistent customer contracting across the business
Risk & Compliance: Identify and manage legal, regulatory, and operational risks related to commercial transactions, including supply chain, intellectual property, confidentiality, data privacy, export controls, and compliance obligations

Minimum Qualifications:

2+ years of experience in a legal role at a private company or law firm
Subject matter expertise in commercial contracts and intellectual property
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
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
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; eager 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

Additional Requirements:

Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range: California

$155,000 - $221,000USD

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.

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FAQs About Legal Counsel Jobs at Vast

What is the work location for this position at Vast?

This job at Vast is located in Long Beach, California, according to the details provided by the employer. Some roles may also include multiple work locations depending on the requirement.

What pay range can candidates expect for this role at Vast?

Candidates can expect a pay range of $155,000 and $221,000 per year.

What employment applies to this position at Vast?

Vast lists this role as a Full-time position.

What experience level is required for this role at Vast?

Vast is looking for a candidate with "Senior-level" experience level.

What benefits are offered by Vast for this role?

Vast offers following benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Family/Dependent Health, Paid Vacation, Parental and Family Leave, 401k Matching/Retirement Savings, and Health & Wellness Programs for this position. Actual benefits may vary depending on the employer's policies and employment terms.

What is the process to apply for this position at Vast?

You can apply for this role at Vast either through Sonara's automated application system, which helps you submit applications 10X faster with minimal effort, or by applying manually using the direct link on the job page.