New Paris, France

Paris, France

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 Project Manager, European Industrial Partnerships to to lead the identification, development, and establishment of European industrial partnerships, and to provide programmatic and research leadership across Vast’s European human spaceflight and satellite activities. The Project Manager will report to the Director, Policy and Government Relations, and work in full coordination with the dedicated USA business development teams.

A central focus of this role is building the European industrial dimension of Vast’s offering: identifying European suppliers and partners whose capabilities align with Vast’s needs, and structuring partnerships that support geographical and industrial return considerations linked to flight seat opportunities and Vast’s broader procurement interests, in both the short and longer term.

Vast Europe is a small, nimble office, and this role is intentionally broad. You will work across research, partnerships, proposals, events, and project coordination, supporting both Directors. We consider this breadth a feature of the role. If you want a direct hand in how commercial human spaceflight deals with agencies, governments, and industry actually get built, and you are comfortable wearing multiple hats, this role is designed for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain a structured view of the European industrial landscape relevant to Vast: suppliers, capabilities, national strengths, and potential partners across member states.
• Identify, develop, and help structure European industrial partnership opportunities that strengthen Vast’s offering to agency and government customers, including geographical and industrial return narratives supporting flight seat campaigns.
• Conduct in-depth research on the European commercial space sector, including competitors, institutional programs, funding cycles, and regulatory developments, to identify opportunities and risks.
• Prepare tailored research briefs, market intelligence, and background materials ahead of customer meetings, proposals, and negotiations.
• Manage the preparation of proposals, offers, and responses to institutional tenders, including research, drafting, and coordination of inputs from Vast HQ teams and European partners.
• Own CRM records, pipeline reporting, and internal tracking tools for the European team, and establish regular reporting processes.
• Lead the planning and execution of Vast’s presence at European conferences, industry days, and customer events.
• Provide project management across human spaceflight and satellite workstreams in support of both Directors, as priorities require.
• Deputize for the Directors on industrial partnership and research matters as delegated, and support the onboarding and development of junior team members.

Candidate Profile

A curious, organized mid-career professional with substantive experience in the European space sector, strong research and writing skills, and the initiative to run down open questions independently. The ideal candidate is energized rather than intimidated by a broad remit, is comfortable owning workstreams end to end with limited supervision, and thrives with the autonomy and ambiguity of a small office backed by a fast-moving US headquarters.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, business, international affairs, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in the space industry, business development, industrial partnerships, procurement, or research and market intelligence roles.
• Direct experience working with European industrial suppliers, primes, and/or institutional stakeholders.
• Experience acting as a primary interface between a company or program and an external customer, at both technical and management levels.
• Strong organizational skills and proficiency with spreadsheets and presentation tools for analysis and reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluency in English required. Fluency in French will be considered a strong plus. Fluency in other European languages appreciated
• Strong written communication skills in English, including briefs, summaries, and proposal inputs.
• Eligibility to work in France.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Master’s degree in an engineering, science, business, or international affairs discipline.
• Familiarity with the European institutional space landscape, including ESA industrial policy and geographical return mechanisms.
• Experience with a CRM (Salesforce or similar) and research or list-building tools.
• Ability to translate complex technical and market information into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences.
• Comfortable balancing several projects at once in a dynamic environment, with the flexibility to adjust to shifting priorities.
• Self-motivated, curious, and solutions-focused, with a genuine passion for the space industry.
• Experience thriving in a startup or small-office environment, comfortable operating independently and as a “one-person team” when needed.
• Strong negotiation, prioritization, and cross-functional coordination skills, with the flexibility to adjust to abrupt changes in strategic direction.
• Passion for the space industry and for changing “business-as-usual” paradigms.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, primarily within Europe.
• Willingness to accommodate meetings across European and US Pacific time zones, and to work occasional evenings or weekends in support of critical mission milestones.

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.

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

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.