Strategic Partnerships Lead – European Space Programs

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