The posting
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 a Principal Strategic Sourcing to the Senior Director of Supply Chain to lead complex sourcing and supply chain strategies supporting the development and production of human-rated space systems.
The Principal Strategic Sourcing Manager will serve as a senior individual contributor and subject matter expert within Supply Chain, owning high-impact sourcing strategies, solving complex supplier and program challenges, and influencing cross-functional decisions across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Program teams. This role requires the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced NPI environment, develop solutions where established processes may not yet exist, and create scalable strategies that improve the broader organization.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Own category strategies for critical hardware, balancing cost, speed, quality, and risk
- Lead high-stakes sourcing events end to end, including negotiating long-term agreements, capacity reservations, and rate-ramp commitments with executive-level supplier counterparts
- Build should-cost and total-cost-of-ownership models that capture tooling, NRE, qualification, and yield, not just unit price
- Work with Engineering early on make-vs-buy, design-to-cost, and design-for-manufacturability decisions
- Find, qualify, and develop new suppliers, including non-traditional and commercial suppliers, to reduce single-source risk and add capacity
- Keep sourcing and contract flow-downs compliant with ITAR/EAR, AS9100, and customer requirements
- Mentor and train sourcing managers, buyers, and analysts through deal reviews, coaching, and workshops, and help build the playbooks and tools we scale on
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field
- 7+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain in aerospace, space, defense, or another high-complexity manufacturing environment
- Proven record of delivering significant cost, schedule, and risk-reduction results on complex, high-spend categories
- Advanced negotiation skills, including with sole-source and strategic suppliers at the executive level
- Strong analytical skills, including spend analysis, TCO, and should-cost modeling
- Experience negotiating and managing long-term agreements, commercial terms, and supplier contracts
- Working knowledge of AS9100 and ITAR/EAR as they apply to sourcing and supplier management
- Demonstrated experience mentoring, coaching, or training colleagues
- Strong communication and cross-functional influence skills, with the ability to work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Legal
- Comfort operating quickly with incomplete information and changing requirements
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience sourcing prototype, development, and production machined hardware in an NPI environment
- Experience with value engineering, should-cost analysis, supplier development, and supply base optimization
- Experience influencing engineering, manufacturing, and executive stakeholders without direct authority
- Proficiency with ERP systems, RFQs/RFPs, and supplier contract management
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Pay Range: California
$177,120—$251,424 USD
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.
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.
