People Operations Generalist

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 People Operations Generalist, reporting to the Senior Manager, People Operations, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

This hands-on generalist role supports employees throughout the employee lifecycle, including employee support, onboarding, offboarding, HRIS data maintenance, and daily People Operations. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and responsive, with the ability to manage competing priorities, ensure accurate and timely execution, and collaborate across the team. At more experienced levels, the role operates more independently, manages routine employee matters, provides cross-functional coverage, and improves processes.

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

Responsibilities:

Employee & People Operations Support — 35%

• Serve as a first point of contact for routine employee questions and People Operations requests, escalating sensitive or complex matters as appropriate
• Manage routine communications, employment verifications, employee documentation, and designated time-away tracking
• Prepare employee communications, process incoming mail, and maintain accurate, organized, and confidential employee records
• Provide administrative support for employee lifecycle activities, Workers’ Compensation, international workforce needs, and other People Operations programs
• Follow established procedures, identify potential compliance concerns, and provide cross-functional team coverage as needed

Onboarding & Orientation — 25%

• Coordinate new hire onboarding and orientation logistics, materials, scheduling, and communications
• Prepare presentations, welcome materials, new hire announcements, and other onboarding resources
• Partner with managers, IT, Facilities, Payroll, and other stakeholders to ensure first-day readiness and timely completion of onboarding activities
• Maintain onboarding checklists, trackers, and documentation while providing a welcoming experience and backup coverage for onboarding activities

Separation Agreements, Termination & Offboarding Support — 20%

• Prepare and administer Separation Agreements and related documentation using approved templates and confirmed terms
• Track agreement status, signatures, review and revocation periods, and deadlines; coordinate routing, follow-up, and filing
• Support termination and offboarding documentation, communications, scheduling, and stakeholder coordination
• Maintain accurate, confidential, audit-ready records and escalate sensitive or non-standard matters to the appropriate People Operations, People Business Partner, Legal, or Payroll partner

HRIS & Employee Data Support — 15%

• Process approved employee data changes and routine transactions in Rippling and other People Operations systems
• Verify data and supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness
• Assist with employee data audits, discrepancy resolution, and record maintenance
• Respond to routine HRIS questions and escalate system issues or complex changes as needed

Process, Documentation & Team Support — 5%

• Maintain People Operations SOPs, checklists, templates, and trackers
• Identify opportunities to improve process efficiency, consistency, and employee experience
• Support team meetings, projects, events, employee engagement activities, and other People Operations priorities as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma
• 1+ years of experience in People Operations, Human Resources, or a related role. Candidates considered for the People Operations Generalist II level should demonstrate greater experience independently managing routine People Operations activities, employee communications, and operational processes
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, trackers, employee actions, and competing priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and thoughtfully with employees and internal stakeholders
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive employee information with a high level of discretion
• Experience with or willingness to learn HRIS and People Operations systems; Rippling experience preferred
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office, including experience working with spreadsheets, trackers, and shared documentation
• Ability to follow established processes, exercise sound judgment, and recognize when an issue requires escalation or additional guidance
• Ability to prioritize competing requests and adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative, service-oriented approach with a willingness to provide coverage across a variety of People Operations responsibilities

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience supporting employee onboarding, orientation, or new hire programs
• Experience supporting employee separations, offboarding, Separation Agreements, or other sensitive employee documentation
• Experience maintaining employee data or processing employee actions within an HRIS
• Experience managing shared employee communications or responding to employee questions and requests
• Experience tracking time-away requests or supporting other employee lifecycle processes
• Experience maintaining operational trackers, SOPs, checklists, or other process documentation
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience in a fast-paced, growing, manufacturing, engineering, or similarly operational environment

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs without assistance, including onboarding materials, supplies, and welcome bags
• Occasional travel to other California locations may be required