Senior Buyer, Machining

Vast; City of Long Beach (NY); On-site; USD 106,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous paid time off

Free meals and onsite barista

Job summary

Vast is seeking a Subcontracts Specialist, Indirect, located in Long Beach, to support the development of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. In this full-time role, you will develop strategies for indirect procurement and manage supplier relationships while ensuring compliance with contract requirements.

The ideal candidate has experience in contract negotiation and an associates degree in a relevant field. We offer competitive salary packages, comprehensive benefits including 100% medical coverage, and unique perks like free meals and access to wellness programs.

Qualifications

• Experience in negotiating contracts and terms and conditions, specifically AIA Agreements.
• Familiarity with indirect procurement from demand identification through fulfillment.

Responsibilities

• Develop category-specific strategies for indirect procurement.
• Manage the procurement process for indirect projects including negotiations.
• Ensure sourcing activities align with proper procedures.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Indirect procurement process

Supplier management

Education

Associates degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field

Job description

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 for a Subcontracts Specialist, Indirect, reporting to the Director of Indirect Supply Chain, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial‑gravity human‑rated space stations.

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

Responsibilities

• Develop category specific strategies for Indirect (Facilities, Capital Equipment and Services) to deliver high quality and low cost solutions for Vast Operations and Manufacturing Customers.
• Interface with key Vast Customers including Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering and and senior leadership to understand the strategic direction, capital requirements and business priorities.
• Manage the procurement process – RFI/RFQ/RFPs, negotiations, etc. – for Indirect projects. Scope includes managing supplier planning and execution, coordination, contract preparation, negotiation and execution.
• Directly manage suppliers for Indirect spend (including equipment, engineering & design, and construction), category through supplier scorecards, quarterly business reviews; measuring contract compliance and other key metrics to ensure targets/schedules are being met and value is being delivered to the business.
• Ensure all sourcing activities are conducted in accordance with proper procedures and protocols. Track execution to sourcing and procuring plans for all projects per cost and timeline.
• Seek alternate and innovative ideas to provide business solutions, challenge requirements and specifications to create competitive advantage.

Minimum Qualifications

• Familiarity and experience in negotiating contracts and terms and conditions, specifically AIA Agreements.
• Experience in all aspects of the Indirect Procurement process, from demand identification through fulfillment.
• Associates degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Bachelors degree Science degree in Business or Engineering discipline.
• Experience with subcontracts, purchasing or contracts within an aerospace environment.
• Negotiation skills with contracts exceeding $1 million with tight deadline requirements.
• Experience in conducting presentations to senior leadership.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Pay Range

• Subcontracts Specialist, Indirect II: $106,000 - $150,000
• Senior Subcontracts Specialist, Indirect: $130,000 - $186,000

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, 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.