Technical Project Manager

Technical Project Manager

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo. 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 required to manufacture and operate America's next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Technical Project Manager, reporting to the Staff Technical Project Manager, Satellites, 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.

As Vast expands into high-power satellite buses, we need to execute with discipline. As our TPM, you'll be the engine behind cross-subsystem coordination — tracking action items, managing dependencies, owning the risk register, and making sure the right people have the right information to keep commitments. You'll work across every engineering subsystem and be deeply embedded in the program office, with the technical credibility to engage with engineers and the execution mindset to keep things moving.

Responsibilities:

• Own the program action item tracker and drive closure across all engineering subsystems and cross-functional partners
• Facilitate and lead recurring program execution meetings (weekly status, risk reviews, milestone look-aheads); publish clear meeting notes and follow-ups
• Maintain the program risk register; track mitigation actions and escalate unresolved risks to program leadership
• Manage cross-subsystem dependencies and surface conflicts before they impact the schedule
• Support milestone and program review readiness (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR) — coordinate inputs, track open items, and ensure artifacts are delivered on time
• Collaborate with the Master Scheduler to ensure execution status is reflected in the IMS
• Produce concise, accurate program status reports for internal leadership and external stakeholders
• Identify process gaps and build lightweight, repeatable project management infrastructure as the program scales

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
• 3+ years of experience managing cross-functional hardware development programs or projects
• Demonstrated proficiency with project tracking tools (JIRA, Smartsheet, Confluence, MS Project, or equivalent)
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams without dropping threads
• Technical background sufficient to engage with engineers on hardware development topics

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated proficiency leading and executing a large satellite space program
• 3+ years of experience as a supporting engineer on a development program
• PMP certification
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or spacecraft hardware development
• Familiarity with satellite subsystems and spacecraft development lifecycle
• Exposure to EVMS and formal program reviews (PDR, CDR, etc.)
• Experience building PM processes at a startup or scaling organization
• Logical and strategic approach to solving problems
• Comfortable working in a high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time, and the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction.

Additional Requirements:

• On-site presence in Long Beach required
• Ability to work extended hours around proposal deadlines and major program milestones

Pay Range: California

$164,900 - $197,880 USD

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.

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, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

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.