Senior Buyer

vast

Hawthorne, California, United States · Hawthorne · United States

Posted Jul 7, 2026

Full-time
On-site
E-2

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 Senior Buyer, reporting to the E-2 Manager of Supply Chain, to create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers, while optimizing for production and low cost. In this role, you will join a team with exciting momentum that has produced and successfully tested fully integrated engine development samples. You will be a key member who will help transition the system from development to production.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Hawthorne location.

Responsibilities:

Build up a strategic supply chain supporting engine components including off-the-shelf components, tools, material, avionics components and any hardware assemblies are associated with it
Understand BOM cost and run should-cost analysis
Create and take part in meetings with engineering to develop a strong rapport
Work closely with manufacturing and engineering teams to identify and execute cost savings opportunities
Alleviate any delivery blockages including supply, quality or invoice disputes Identify areas for improvement and develop new processes or KPI’s to further team development
Be a mentor for the team and provide trainings on the commodity to cross-train team
Have a good understanding of global markets and economics and its effect on Aerospace Supply Chains Issue RFQ’s, PO’s within a timely manner and maintain established service levels for quotes, purchase orders and updates
Ability to balance multiple priorities with ambiguous instructions

Minimum Qualifications:

4 years in a procurement function, 2 years in aerospace
2 years in a position requiring traceability
2 years working with an ERP system
Bachelor of Science degree in Supply Chain, Business or Engineering

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Knowledge of computer applications and the ability to easily navigate through different computer software programs
Ability to create and update request for proposals (RFPs), purchase orders (POs) and facilities work orders in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
Ability to work effectively in a team environment
Ability to make independent judgments with limited information
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 fast pace environment balancing several projects at any given time, and the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction

Additional Requirements:

Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted

Pay Range: California

$107,000—$152,000 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: 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.