Legal Counsel (Employment)

Job description

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and capital-efficient approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to support a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and supporting a growing space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to design, build, and operate its own spacecraft in orbit. Next, Haven-1 is targeted to become the world’s first commercial space station, with launch anticipated in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced two new offerings leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo: Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line; and Vast Lunar Systems, power, communications, and habitats for the Moon. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities capable of manufacturing America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for Mars, dedicated modules for government partners, and other crewed systems designed to unlock the expanding long-term space economy. Vast is seeking a Legal Counsel, reporting to the General Counsel, to serve as the primary legal advisor to the People Team and all business units on a full range of employment law matters. In this role you will lead employment-law strategy and compliance at Vast, advising leaders on workplace policies, managing risk, and enabling scalable, legally sound people operations as we design and build next-generation human-rated space stations. This will be a full-time , exempt position located in our Long Beach location. Responsibilities: Advice & Counseling Serve as the primary legal advisor to the People Team and all business units on the full range of employment law matters, CA wage and hour, PAGA, hiring, performance management, accommodations (ADA/ADAAA), leaves of absence (FMLA/state equivalents), compensation and pay equity, contingent workforce (e.g., staffing companies; temp/seasonal employees), and terminations. Provide real-time, practical, and business-oriented counsel on employee relations issues — escalations, disciplinary actions, PIPs, workplace complaints, and sensitive personnel situations. Advise on multi-state employment law compliance, keeping guidance current as laws change, and AI-use implications in the workplace. Provide guidance and counsel to employment matters pertaining to Vast global entities. Policies, Handbooks & Compliance Partner with the People team to draft, review, revise, and maintain employment policies and employee handbooks to ensure legal compliance, internal consistency, and alignment with company culture. Monitor and translate new and evolving federal, state, and local employment legislation, regulations, and agency guidance into actionable policy updates and business recommendations. Assist with the annual policy review cycle and partner with HRBPs on rollout and employee communications. Workplace Investigations Support Work alongside the company's in-house investigator on workplace investigations. Advise on investigation outcomes, corrective actions, and any resulting legal exposure. Help develop and refine investigation protocols, templates, and training materials. Training & Proactive Risk Mitigation Develop training with People team members for managers and business leaders on topics such as anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, wage and hour, accommodations, and lawful management practices. Identify systemic employment risk trends and proactively recommend process, policy, or practice changes to reduce exposure. Talent Acquisition & Hiring Support Partner with the Talent Acquisition team on offer letters, employment agreements, independent contractor classifications, pre-employment screening compliance (background checks, ban-the-box), non-compete/non-solicit enforceability, and onboarding documentation. Review and update template employment agreements, offer letter forms, and related hiring documents on a regular cadence. Minimum Qualifications: 3-4+ years of experience in a legal role at a private company or law firm. Subject matter expertise in employment law. JD with admission to practice law in a state bar in good standing and able to practice in-house in California. Familiarity with contingent workforce (e.g. staffing companies; temp/seasonal employees). 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 with competing priorities. Ability to work independently or collaboratively in a fast-pace environment. Preferred Skills & Experience: Knowledge of computer applications and the ability to easily navigate through different computer software programs. Experience leveraging AI technology to improve work efficiency. Ability to work effectively in a team environment. Ability to make independent judgments with limited information. Communication skills for relaying data (verbally and in-writing) between other employees, vendors, and customers. Additional Requirements: Ability to travel up to 15% of the time. Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones. Specific certifications, as appropriate. Pay Range: Legal Counsel: $155,000 - $221,000 Senior Legal Counsel: $164,000 - $232,000 Pay Range: California $155,000 — $232,000 USD We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply. 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. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.