Legal Counsel

Vast is looking for a Legal Counsel, reporting to the General Counsel, to provide an array of legal support to include government contracts, commercial contracts, and other matters required for the design and build of next generation human-rated space stations

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

Responsibilities: 

• Commercial Contracts: Structure, negotiate, and finalize technology transactions ranging from standard agreements to highly complex deals, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Government Contracts: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including legal, policy, finance, sourcing/supply chain and business development, to develop and implement government contracting strategies. Assess contracting opportunities and translate the complexities of the government procurement ecosystem into agreements that align with Vast’s initiatives.
• Drafting: Draft, negotiate, and execute sophisticated contracts with government agencies, prime contractors, and subcontractors, ensuring full compliance with FAR, NFS, DFARS, and other agency supplements , agency-specific requirements, and other applicable laws. Advise on risk allocation and regulatory obligations.
• Internal Stakeholders: Provide legal counsel and strategic guidance to internal stakeholders on a wide range of government contracting matters, including compliance, bid strategies, contract performance, and dispute resolution. Act as a key resource for navigating regulatory challenges and ensuring Vast’s success with government customers–in the U.S. and around the world.
• Special Projects: Support our General Counsel and twoAssociate General Counsels on special projects, as requested, and work independently with our internal legal support staff and other internal partners. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in a legal role at a private company, law firm, or government agency 
• Subject matter expertise in government and commercial contracts  
• 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
• Experience handling matters in 2-3 of the following areas: investigations and related processes, data privacy, commercial litigation, cybersecurity
• 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. 
• Experience drafting and enforcing policies compliant with government contract requirements. 
• 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; willing 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 
• Willingness to learn new areas of law and triage issues 

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted
• Specific certifications, as appropriate

Pay Range: 

• Legal Counsel : $145,000 -$195,000