Lunar Programs Director — NASA Partnerships Lead

Socket.dev; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 194,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Company equity and 401(k) retirement

Paid time off and vacation benefits

Onsite meals and snacks

Job summary

Vast seeks a Director, Lunar Programs to lead NASA-focused business development for lunar and cislunar initiatives. You will drive opportunity development, capture strategy, and partnerships to position Vast as a leader in in-space infrastructure for NASA lunar exploration.

This full-time role, based in Long Beach, CA, Houston, TX or Washington, D.C., reports to the Chief Policy Officer and requires travel up to 30% and ability to obtain necessary clearances.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, aerospace, business, or a related field.
• 8+ years of relevant experience including substantial work in agency business development, capture management, civil space programs, or government contracting.
• Deep understanding of procurement and contract structures, including IDIQ, OTA, FFP, CPFF, Space Act Agreements.
• Excellent communication, analytical, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong technical understanding and ability to communicate complex systems to agency and civil space audiences.
• Ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple efforts simultaneously in a fast paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive NASA lunar market strategy aligned with Vast's revenue and mission objectives.
• Collaborate with Leadership, Engineering, Policy and Government Relations, Marketing, Legal, Communications, and other internal teams to ensure alignment between NASA lunar customer needs and station and lunar system development priorities.
• Coordinate the preparation and delivery of lunar briefings to support strategic planning and NASA engagement activities.
• Lead internal planning for NASA lunar opportunity prioritization, capture strategy, and pipeline development.
• Lead customer engagement across opportunity identification, mission scoping, capability briefings, and early concept development.
• Identify, shape, and advance opportunities for NASA use of Vast systems across crewed lunar missions, cislunar operations, experimentation, and training.
• Monitor and analyze NASA budget requests, congressional appropriations, and authorization language to anticipate shifts in lunar program funding and priorities.
• Advise Vast leadership on programmatic considerations such as cost, schedule, and risk posture that shape the viability and structure of NASA lunar opportunities.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, aerospace, business, or a related field

Job description

Vast seeks a Director, Lunar Programs to lead NASA-focused business development for lunar and cislunar initiatives. You will drive opportunity development, capture strategy, and partnerships to position Vast as a leader in in-space infrastructure for NASA lunar exploration.

This full-time role, based in Long Beach, CA, Houston, TX or Washington, D.C., reports to the Chief Policy Officer and requires travel up to 30% and ability to obtain necessary clearances.