Senior Legal Counsel

Vast is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join our growing legal team, reporting directly to the General Counsel. This role will focus primarily on commercial contracts (approximately 50%)—particularly within supply chain and manufacturing; data privacy and intellectual property support (approximately 30%); as well as other critical legal matters supporting the design and construction of next-generation human-rated space stations. The remaining 20% will be focused on special projects.

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

Responsibilities: 

• Commercial Contracts – Supply Chain & Manufacturing 
• Draft, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements, with a focus on supply chain, and manufacturing.
• Support sourcing, engineering, and operations teams in structuring processes and contracts that balance legal protection and operational efficiency.
• Provide guidance in coordination with subject matter experts on key legal terms, including IP rights, indemnities, warranties, and regulatory compliance.
• Build and scale robust internal processes and partner with others on implementation and improvement of business systems.

• Data Privacy & Intellectual Property Support
• Support the development and management of data privacy programs, including compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations.
• Advise on the protection, licensing, and enforcement of intellectual property assets.
• Enhance internal processes and coordination across departments to safeguard proprietary information and trade secrets.
• Leverage knowledge of related areas such as supply chain, ethics & compliance, and technology transactions.

• Strategic Legal Advisory & Cross-Functional Support
• Provide timely, business-oriented legal advice to stakeholders across multiple departments.
• Identify and manage legal risks while enabling innovation and execution speed.
• Support sensitive legal matters such as claims, investigations, compliance concerns, and dispute resolution.
• Collaborate on special projects. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• JD with active admission to a U.S. state bar in good standing; eligible to practice in-house in California.
• 5+ years of experience in a legal role within a law firm, private company, or government agency.
• Subject matter expertise in commercial contracting.
• Experience supporting supply chain and manufacturing legal operations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; excellent judgment and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Deep understanding of aerospace industry legal frameworks, especially related to government and technology contracts.
• Strong relationship-building skills with both internal teams and external partners.
• Proactive and pragmatic approach to legal counseling and risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage shifting priorities and take initiative in unfamiliar legal areas.
• Familiarity with internal policy development and enforcement in a highly regulated environment.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends.
• Specific certifications, as appropriate.