Senior Employment Counsel — High-Growth Space Tech

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 232,000; Full time

Job summary

Vast in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to serve as the primary advisor to the People Team and business units on employment law matters. This full-time, exempt role reports to the General Counsel and focuses on policy, risk, and scalable people operations as Vast builds next‑gen space stations.

Responsibilities include advice, policy development, investigations support, training, and talent acquisition guidance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a legal role at a private company or law firm.
• Subject matter expertise in employment law at a start-up technology or high growth organization.
• JD with admission to practice law in a state bar in good standing and able to practice in-house in California.
• Familiarity with contingent workforce (e.g. staffing companies; temp/seasonal employees).
• Strong problem-solving experience and skills.
• Strong verbal and writing skills.
• Process-oriented and team player.

Responsibilities

• Advise the People Team and all business units on the full range of employment-law matters, including CA wage/hour, PAGA, hiring, performance management, accommodations, leaves, compensation, pay equity, contingent workforce, and terminations.
• Draft, review, revise, and maintain employment policies and employee handbooks for legal compliance and internal consistency.
• Monitor federal, state, and local employment legislation and translate into actionable policy updates.
• Assist with annual policy review cycles and partner with HRBPs on rollout and communications.
• Support workplace investigations and refine investigation templates and training materials.
• Develop training with People team on anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, wage/hour, accommodations, and lawful management practices.
• Guide Talent Acquisition on offer letters, employment agreements, contractor classifications, background checks, non-compete enforceability, and onboarding documents.

Skills

Employment law

Legal advisory

Policy drafting

Risk management

Written communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California Bar Admission

Job description

Vast in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to serve as the primary advisor to the People Team and business units on employment law matters. This full-time, exempt role reports to the General Counsel and focuses on policy, risk, and scalable people operations as Vast builds next‑gen space stations.

Responsibilities include advice, policy development, investigations support, training, and talent acquisition guidance.