Legal Counsel (Commercial)
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.
High-Value, Bespoke Deal Negotiation: Lead negotiation of significant, complex commercial transactions - such as launch services agreements, strategic partnerships, teaming and joint development agreements, large-scale hardware supply and procurement contracts, and long-term customer commitments.
Government Contracts: Review government contract opportunities from RFPs to tier one supplier relationships to advise the business on the potential pitfalls and mechanisms for maximizing successes. Leverage practical experience with FAR, DFARS, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) clauses. Support the full life cycle from proposal to negotiation to performance to close out.
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.
Cross-Functional Deal Leadership: Partner closely with business development, program management, finance, and engineering leadership throughout the lifecycle of major transactions - coordinating internal stakeholders and outside counsel to drive deals to completion.
Special Projects: Support our Legal Team 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 or law firm.
Subject matter expertise in commercial contracts and/or government 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.
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—$221,000 USD