Accounts Payable Specialist

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to advancing space exploration as an Accounts Payable Specialist I. In this full-time role, you will play a crucial part in the financial operations that support the development of innovative artificial gravity space stations. Your responsibilities will include processing a high volume of invoices, maintaining vendor relationships, and contributing to process improvements. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic environment where your skills can directly impact the future of humanity in space. If you thrive in fast-paced settings and have a passion for financial accuracy, we want you on our team!

Benefits

100% medical coverage

dental coverage

vision coverage

flexible paid time off

paid parental leave

short and long-term disability insurance

life insurance

401(k) retirement plan

One Medical membership

ClassPass credits

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in Accounts Payable or Accounting.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Process high-volume vendor invoices and ensure accuracy.
• Manage vendor relationships and reconcile statements.
• Contribute to automation and process improvement projects.

Skills

Accounts Payable

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Attention to Detail

Organizational Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Google Suite

Netsuite

Ramp

Job description

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026. 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 seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Accounts Payable Specialist I to join our growing Finance team in Long Beach, reporting to the Accounts Payable Manager. In this role, you will help lay the financial groundwork essential to designing and building artificial-gravity, human-rated space stations. You will be responsible for processing a high volume of invoices, maintaining vendor relationships, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of payments, and supporting automation and process improvement initiatives.

This will be a full-time, non-exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

• Process high-volume of vendor invoices (250/month)
• Match invoices to purchase orders and receipts and resolve any discrepancies
• Ensure all invoices have proper backup, coding, and approvals before processing
• Assist with vendor payments, travel and expense reimbursements, and international payments
• Manage vendor onboarding process including setting up credit terms, up-to-date W9 forms, and other necessary information
• Reconcile vendor statements, research, and correct discrepancies
• Contribute to automation and process improvement projects
• Establish and maintain electronic repository for supporting documentation related to all invoices and reimbursements
• Provide excellent and timely responses to vendor emails and internal customer inquiries
• Assist the Finance team with other ad-hoc projects as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of Accounts Payable experience or Accounting
• High School Diploma or equivalent

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience in the manufacturing industry
• Proficient with Google Suite products (sheets, slides, and documents)
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Excellent and clear communication skills for relaying data (verbally and in writing) between other employees, vendors, and customers
• 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
• Experience with Netsuite and Ramp or equivalent AP software/accounting systems
• Strong understanding of procurement and cost accounting principles
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment
• Strong problem-solving skills and accountability
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
• Specific certifications, as appropriate

Salary Range: California

$26.37 - $32.23 USD

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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.