Senior Benefits Analyst

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 Benefits Analyst, reporting to the Senior Manager, Compensation to support the people operations programs and initiatives to enable the growth and retention of our incredible team at Vast.

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

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the daily administration of employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness programs, 401(k) plan, and any other employee services.
• Serve as a point of contact for employee inquiries regarding benefits and provide guidance on plan options, enrollment procedures, claims, and eligibility.
• Collaborate with external vendors and internal teams to ensure efficient implementation, management, and troubleshooting of benefits systems and processes.
• Develop clear, engaging benefits communication materials, including presentations, and FAQs to educate employees on their benefits options.
• Ensure benefits programs are in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and FMLA, among others.
• Stay current on changes to laws and regulations that affect employee benefits and work with legal and compliance teams to ensure timely implementation of any necessary adjustments.
• Assist in the preparation and filing of required benefits-related regulatory documents, including ACA reporting, Form 5500, and Summary Annual Reports (SARs).
• Conduct regular analysis of benefits plan utilization, costs, and trends to identify opportunities for cost savings, improvement in employee satisfaction, and alignment with business goals.
• Prepare and present comprehensive reports on benefits program performance to leadership, highlighting key metrics such as participation rates, claims experience, cost trends, and employee feedback.
• May help with reporting as it relates to Compensation.
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in lieu of a degree
• 5 years of experience in benefits administration, with at least 2 years in a senior or analyst role.
• Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., ACA, ERISA, FMLA, COBRA).
• Expertise in 5500 audits and IRS filings (1095-C, 1094-C, 720).
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work across HR teams and our business partners.
  
  
  

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Certification such as Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
• Excellent project management and organizational skills to deliver highly sophisticated programs in very expedited timeframes.
• Solid understanding of local and regional People practices. Analytical and problem-solving skills with an eye for detail, analyzing complex data, identifying trends, and translating findings into recommended actions.
• Proactive, self-directed, motivated, and results-oriented individual with a high dedication to quality while handling multiple, and at times competing, priorities.
• Demonstrated excellence thriving in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment.
• Advanced knowledge of Google Suite, particularly Google Sheets/Excel.
• Experience with Compensation reporting and programs.
  
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
• Occasional travel to other Los Angeles location
• Ability to travel at least once a year to our Mojave facility and as needed to our Hawthorne location
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestone
  
  
  

Pay Range

• Benefits Analyst: $85,000 - $115,000
• Senior Benefits Analyst: $105,000 - $145,000
  
  
  

Salary Range: California

$85,000—$145,000 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, free catered meals and snacks and beverages, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.

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.