Senior Software Security Engineer

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 Software Engineer, Security , reporting to the Senior Manager, Software Engineering , to support the development and maintenance of the organization's growing cybersecurity infrastructure. As a software engineer on our growing team, you'll have an opportunity to learn and grow under the mentorship of seasoned engineers from aerospace and big tech, building powerful and secure software that helps expand humanity into space.

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

Responsibilities:

• Work with team to design, implement, and maintain a wide variety of backends, tools, and pipelines directly in support of Vast’s mission-critical security services


• Partner with various engineering teams to assist in the implementation and design of their security-sensitive features and services


• Collaborate with team to peer review current software and security practices and to foster an effective and positive work environment

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, or other engineering discipline


• 6+ years experience with building security services and configurations (i.e. IAM, short-lived certificates, API security)


• Development experience in any modern programming language (including but not limited to Python, C++, Rust, Go)


• Experience building, shipping, and supporting security applications in the cloud


• Proficiency using the command line, writing shell scripts, and an understanding of the GNU/Linux operating system

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience working on ambiguous problems


• Production DevOps experience (Docker and K8s preferred)


• Experience working with multiple programming languages


• Experience with API Design


• Deep security knowledge in one or more domains


• Confident communicator, both written and verbal


• Collaborative mindset


• Problem solver with a bias for action

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones


• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted


• Specific certifications, as appropriate

Pay Range:

• Senior Software Security Engineer: $150,000 - $190,000


• Staff Software Security Engineer: $183,000 - $237,000

Salary Range: California

$150,000 - $237,000 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.