Mel Stricklan, co-founder of Slingshot Aerospace and a 21-year U.S. Air Force veteran, is joining Vast to lead our new Special Programs D…

Why this matters for talent

Vast adding a Special Programs Division with a 21-year Air Force veteran at the helm is a clear sign the company is pursuing classified or near-classified national security space contracts, which typically carry long-term stable funding. These divisions often hire separately from commercial programs and require security clearances, which means cleared aerospace and systems engineering candidates should pay attention to Vast's growing footprint.