People Operations Associate

About the role

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. The company 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. Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Vast also 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, 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 Associate, reporting to the Senior Manager, People Operations, to support the development of the systems required for the design and build of human-rated space stations. This role ensures accurate, compliant employee data and documentation throughout the employee lifecycle, with a focus on HRIS data management, separations, and Workers’ Compensation, while supporting international workforce operations, process improvement, and reporting. The ideal candidate is detail‑oriented, exercises sound judgment, and thrives in a fast‑paced environment. At more senior levels, they operate independently, manage complex issues, identify risks, and drive scalable, compliant People Operations processes. This will be a full‑time, exempt position located in the Long Beach location.

Responsibilities

• HRIS Data Integrity & Change Management — 30%: Manage employee data and HRIS changes in Rippling, ensuring accuracy, documentation, and appropriate approvals; partner with the HRIS Associate to support workflows, reporting, system testing, and issue resolution; conduct regular data audits, resolve discrepancies, and partner cross‑functionally to maintain accurate and compliant employee records.
• Separations, Termination Documentation & Offboarding — 25%: Manage employee separations and terminations, ensuring timely completion of documentation, system updates, stakeholder coordination, and final pay requirements; own the Separation Agreement process, including preparation, approvals, signature tracking, deadlines, and record‑keeping; partner with People Business Partners, Legal, and Payroll to ensure separation documentation and off‑boarding actions are accurate and compliant; escalate complex or high‑risk separation matters as appropriate.
• Workers’ Compensation — 25%: Manage Workers’ Compensation claims from injury reporting through return‑to‑work and claim closure; file claims and provide required employee notices and documentation within applicable deadlines; serve as the primary People Operations contact for employees, managers, insurance carriers, EHS, and other stakeholders throughout the claims process; coordinate return‑to‑work and modified‑duty plans and maintain accurate, confidential, and audit‑ready records; monitor claims, deadlines, and trends and identify potential risks or process improvements.
• International Hiring & Workforce Support — 10%: Support international hiring and workforce administration, including employment documentation, contracts, onboarding, employee changes, and separations; partner with internal teams and external vendors to support international workforce requirements and compliance; maintain accurate global employee and contractor records in Rippling and flag potential compliance or operational risks.
• Process Improvement — 5%: Identify and implement improvements across People Operations processes, including employee changes, offboarding, Workers’ Compensation, international workforce administration, and compliance; develop and maintain SOPs and supporting documentation to improve consistency, scalability, and audit readiness.
• Reporting & Cross‑Functional Partnership — 5%: Partner with HRIS and cross‑functional teams to provide operational metrics, compliance reporting, and audit support; identify trends, gaps, and risks and provide actionable insights to People Operations leadership; collaborate with People Business Partners, Payroll, Talent Acquisition, Finance, IT, Legal, EHS, and other teams to resolve operational issues and support People initiatives.

Requirements

• High School Diploma
• 3+ years of progressive experience in People Operations, HR Operations, HR Administration, or a related function. Candidates considered for the Senior People Operations Associate level should demonstrate deeper functional expertise, experience independently managing complex or sensitive employee matters, and a track record of improving or scaling People Operations processes.
• Hands‑on experience managing employee data and employee actions in an HRIS; Rippling strongly preferred. This role requires an expert HRIS user, not a system administrator.
• Experience managing employee separations and termination documentation, including coordinating time‑sensitive documentation, offboarding actions, and cross‑functional requirements.
• Experience managing Workers’ Compensation claims, including intake, carrier coordination, claim administration, and return‑to‑work processes.
• Experience supporting international hiring or workforce administration, including employment documentation and employee changes.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• High level of discretion and ability to handle sensitive and confidential employee information with integrity.
• Advanced proficiency in Google Work