Staff Scientist

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 Staff Scientist , reporting to the Vice President of Mission Management, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This person will serve as a senior technical leader within the company’s science organization. This role will lead strategic science initiatives and coordinate research programs aligned with Vast’s long-term research roadmap.

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

Responsibilities:

Support execution of the Vast science strategy and align scientific opportunities with company research roadmaps

Lead development and management of complex spaceflight research programs

Engage directly with external scientists, international partners, and payload providers to develop flight research opportunities

Collaborate with NASA programs including Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS)

Human Research Program (HRP), and Mars Campaign Office (MCO)

Translate terrestrial research concepts into viable spaceflight experiments in collaboration with payload providers and engineering teams

Maintain institutional scientific integrity including appropriate scientific review and ethics oversight for human and payload research

Represent Vast in scientific conferences, panels, and industry forums

Provide leadership and mentorship to internal science teams

Support vehicle laboratory development and research capability expansion

Minimum Qualifications:

Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in an empiric science or professional field

Minimum 12 years experience managing scientific research programs

Extensive experience integrating science into spaceflight environments such as ISS or similar platforms

Experience leading multidisciplinary scientific teams or programs

Strong experience working with human research or life sciences ethics frameworks

Preferred Skills Experience:

PhD strongly preferred

Experience collaborating with NASA research programs such as Biological and Physical Sciences or Human Research Program

Experience managing international research collaborations

Strong reputation within the research community

Experience designing orbital research laboratories or flight payload systems

Demonstrated leadership in scientific program development

Additional Requirements:

Ability to travel up to 40% of the time

Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Ability to represent the company in external scientific forums and conferences

Pay Range: California

$159,900 $210,000 USD

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, l…