Manager, Space Food Systems

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in August 2025. 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 seeking a Manager, Space Food Systems to support our Human Systems team as we work to sustain life in low earth orbit. As the Manager of Space Food Systems, you will be responsible for researching, developing, and managing food system provisioning, production, and delivery to support crewed missions. You will work with internal and external teams including engineering, commercial partners, and government agencies to ensure safe and complete food systems to support astronauts in low Earth orbit missions. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead all efforts to develop and provide inflight food services for crewed missions in low Earth orbit
• Provide technical expertise as a space food system expert, and consult on safe space food systems practices
• Source, liaise, and establish relationships with industry professionals to create a sustainable food operations program
• Develop, improve, and produce foods for spaceflight
• Establish and conduct sensory evaluation sessions for acceptance testing and shelf-life trials
• Participate in crewmember food sessions and meetings to develop meals and snacks that meet individual crew member’s nutritional needs
• Attend and participate in industry conferences to stay up to date on space food innovation
• Support Vast food system development and maintenance; assesses crew food provisioning needs  for the duration of the mission onboard the space station
• Lead food provisioning activities including, food processing, flight packaging design, and collection of metrics

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, food engineering, or micro-biology discipline
• ServSafe food manager certification
• Experience in project management

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience in space flight food system development
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Experience in a commercial food production setting
• Demonstrated work experience in a culinary R&D environment
• Ability to take ownership of projects, and deliver results
• Professional or academic experience with nutrition 
• Experience working with vendors for ingredients and supplier sourcing
• Experience in food product design and packaging
• Strong knowledge of food science and safety practices

Pay Range: 

• Manager, Space Food Systems: $135,000 - $170,000

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, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 15 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, free catered meals and snacks and beverages, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.

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 sta