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Director, Lunar Programs Verified today

Vast · Houston, TX · Long Beach, CA · Washington, DC · Space Systems · first seen 2026-09-03
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About Vast

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Haven Demo became operational in 2025, making Vast the only commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Haven-1 is expected to launch in 2027 as the world's first commercial space station. Vast also recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, with over 1,000 employees and more than a billion dollars in private capital, Vast is developing habitats and systems for the Moon, Mars, and other crewed infrastructure.

The Role

You will serve as Director, Lunar Programs, reporting to the Chief Policy Officer. You will lead all NASA-focused business development for Vast's lunar and cislunar initiatives, driving customer engagement, opportunity development, capture strategy, and partnership efforts to advance Vast's position as a leading in-space infrastructure provider supporting NASA's lunar exploration objectives and sustained human presence at the Moon.

This is a full-time, exempt position. You may be located in Long Beach, CA; Houston, TX; or Washington, D.C.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive NASA lunar market strategy aligned with Vast's revenue and mission objectives
  • Collaborate with Leadership, Engineering, Policy and Government Relations, Marketing, Legal, Communications, and other internal teams to align NASA customer needs with station and lunar system development priorities
  • Coordinate the preparation and delivery of lunar briefings to support strategic planning and NASA engagement activities
  • Lead internal planning for NASA lunar opportunity prioritization, capture strategy, and pipeline development
  • Lead customer engagement across opportunity identification, mission scoping, capability briefings, and early concept development
  • Identify, shape, and advance opportunities for NASA use of Vast systems across crewed lunar missions, cislunar operations, experimentation, and training
  • Monitor and analyze NASA budget requests, congressional appropriations, and authorization language to anticipate shifts in lunar program funding and priorities
  • Advise Vast leadership on programmatic considerations such as cost, schedule, and risk posture that shape the viability and structure of NASA lunar opportunities
  • Build relationships with NASA's international partners and their industry teams (ESA, JAXA, CSA, MBRSC) to identify multilateral opportunities and partnership constructs supporting sustained lunar presence
  • Develop business cases, pricing strategy inputs, and ROM cost estimates in coordination with finance and program management
  • Support proposal development and coordinate cross-functional contributions from engineering, program management, legal, and operations teams
  • Represent Vast at space industry events where civil space and government stakeholders are present
  • Deliver presentations, participate in panels, and provide senior-level briefings that communicate the capabilities and value of Vast lunar systems

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, aerospace, business, or a related field
  • 8 or more years of relevant experience including substantial work in agency business development, capture management, civil space programs, or government contracting
  • Deep understanding of procurement and contract structures, including IDIQ, OTA, FFP, CPFF, Space Act Agreements
  • Excellent communication, analytical, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
  • Strong technical understanding and ability to communicate complex systems to agency and civil space audiences
  • Ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple efforts simultaneously in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Master's degree in engineering, science, business, or a space policy discipline
  • Experience working with NASA Headquarters, Johnson Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Kennedy Space Center, the Artemis program, or similar organizations
  • Strong understanding of the flexible acquisition and partnership approaches NASA uses to explore new technologies, support research and experimentation, and rapidly evaluate emerging commercial capabilities
  • Demonstrated experience leading efforts that secured major programs or awards, including strategy, teaming, and proposal
  • Ability to work with sensitive or controlled program information

Additional Requirements

  • Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
  • Ability to obtain and maintain any required government clearances

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary for this position ranges from $194,000 to $275,000 USD and will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Full-time employees receive company equity and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off with 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and the ability to cash out unused vacation; paid parental leave; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; ClassPass credits; personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health; and other discounts and perks. Vast also provides free snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, onsite barista services, and free dinner meals, with subsidized lunch.

Export Control Compliance

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls. You 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.