Accounts Payable Manager

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 foran Accounts Payable Manager, reporting to the Controller, to assist our expanding finance organization in Long Beach. You will play a vital part in overseeing high-capacity invoice handling—with the department currently managing 4,000 monthly—while maintaining the precision of our Procure to Pay processes as we develop human-rated space stations.This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.Responsibilities: Own the end-to-end accounts payable process, including invoice intake, two-way matching, three-way matching, GL coding, approval workflows, payment execution (ACH, domestic and international wire transfers, and checks), vendor reconciliations, and aging management.Process all payments with exceptional accuracy, verifying banking instructions, supporting documentation, approvals, and payment details to ensure error-free execution, particularly for international wire transfers.Review invoices, purchase orders, contracts, and supporting documentation to identify discrepancies, ensure policy compliance, and maintain accurate financial records.Maintain the integrity of the accounts payable ledger through timely reconciliations, issue resolution, and support of month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.Prepare audit-ready documentation and collaborate with external financial statement auditors to support efficient, accurate, and compliant audits.Partner with Procurement/Supply Chain, Engineering, Program Management, and other departments to resolve discrepancies and ensure accurate and timely payment processing.Lead, mentor, and develop the accounts payable team while fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, continuous improvement, and attention to detail.Demonstrate exceptional reliability through consistent attendance, responsiveness to time-sensitive payment requests, and availability during critical business periods, including weekends and evening hours to support month-end close and audit activities.Minimum Qualifications:5+ years of progressive accounts payable experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities.Strong knowledge of GAAP, accounts payable best practices, and internal controls.Experience processing domestic and international wire transfers with a high degree of accuracy.Experience supporting external financial statement audits and preparing audit-ready documentation.Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, analytical ability, and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.Preferred Skills & Experience:Technical Skills: Proficiency in Netsuite and Ramp; intermediate Excel skills are strongly preferred.Background: Experience in the manufacturing or aerospace industry is strongly preferred.Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration strongly preferred. Certifications: Certified Public AccountantAdditional Requirements:Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestonesAbility to work onsite in Long BeachPay Range: California$105,000—$145,000 USDCOMPENSATION AND BENEFITSBase 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 STATUSThe 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.EQUAL OPPORTUNITYVast 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.