The Senior Manager of Compensation will design and manage compensation frameworks, advise on strategies, ensure compliance, and lead compensation initiatives supporting a high-growth culture.
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 May 2026. 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 Manager, Compensation reporting to the Senior Director of Total Rewards & People Operations. This role will be responsible for building and managing scalable compensation strategies across the organization. You’ll lead initiatives that balance market competitiveness with internal equity, drive business alignment, and evolve our total rewards programs to support a high-performance, high-growth culture. This is a high-impact role ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity, loves data, and wants to help shape the future of an ambitious startup.
Responsibilities:
- Design, implement, and manage compensation frameworks, including base pay, incentive programs, and equity.
- Lead annual compensation cycles (merit, promotions, etc.), partnering with Finance and People teams.
- Conduct market benchmarking and analysis to ensure competitiveness across our industry.
- Advise leaders and HRBPs on compensation decisions and strategy, including offer approvals, compensation adjustments and leveling.
- Develop and maintain compensation policies, tools, programs and resources for managers and employees.
- Drive education and enablement around compensation philosophy and equity for employees and leaders.
- Support executive compensation analysis and Board reporting as needed.
- Ensure compliance with relevant compensation laws and reporting requirements (FLSA, pay equity, etc.).
- Collaborate with Finance, Legal, People departments and other cross functional teams to support ongoing and future compensation-related planning.
- Ensure full compliance and reporting of all compensation and benefits programs with relevant federal, state, and local regulations.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 7+ years of experience in compensation or total rewards, preferably in high-growth startups or complex industries like aerospace, tech, or manufacturing.
- 3+ years of experience managing and developing high-performing team members.
- Strong knowledge of compensation frameworks, benchmarking, and job architecture.
- Experience managing compensation cycles, designing incentive plans, and working with equity programs.
- Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to translate data into insights and action.
- Confident communicator with experience advising senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
- Comfortable in fast-paced, evolving environments with a bias for action and clarity.
- Experience with tools like Radford, Option Impact, or Pave a plus.
- Strong knowledge with Google Sheets/Excel formulas
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience in designing and managing executive compensation programs
- Knowledge and provide track record of creating process automation through macros
- Experience in the manufacturing industry and specialization with Aerospace
- Previous exposure to a startup environment
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
- Willing to assist with other projects related to Total Rewards and the broader People Team
Salary Range: California
$172,000—$203,000 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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.
Top Skills
Excel
Google Sheets
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