2026 Summer Internship - Brand Design (Marketing)

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 2026. It is part of our stepping stone approach to continuous human presence in LEO. 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 offers an internship program with hands-on opportunities to be part of our mission. Our interns are mentored by industry experts responsible for designing and developing user centered innovations that space the future of human spaceflight.

The Brand Design Intern will join Vast’s Brand team for Summer 2026 as a full-time, on-site contributor. This role is designed for an emerging designer who wants hands-on experience working on a technically ambitious, globally visible brand shaping the future of human spaceflight.

You’ll support the execution of brand work across digital, print, and physical environments, collaborating closely with designers, creative leadership, and cross-functional partners. This is not a hypothetical internship! Your work will support real projects with real impact.

This is a 12-week internship at our HQ based in Long Beach, CA.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and production of brand assets across digital, print, and environmental applications
• Contribute to visual exploration, concept development, and design iteration
• Apply and help maintain Vast’s brand systems and guidelines
• Prepare and organize design files for reviews, production, and delivery
• Collaborate with partners across marketing, communications, and other teams
• Participate in critiques, design reviews, and working sessions
• Take ownership of scoped design tasks and projects with mentorship from the Brand team

Minimum Qualifications

• Qualified candidates must be enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master’s degree program from an accredited college or university in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Brand Design, or a related field
• Ability to work full-time onsite in Long Beach, CA

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong design fundamentals, including typography, layout, color, and composition
• Proficiency with Figma, Adobe CC, Google Workspace
• A portfolio that demonstrates clear thinking, craft, and attention to detail
• Receptive to receiving feedback and iterating quickly
• Strong communication skills and attention to detail
• Interest in branding, systems thinking, and building cohesive visual narratives
• Interest in space, science, or complex technical systems is a plus, but not required

Pay Rate

• Undergraduate Intern: $35/hr
• Graduate Intern: $40/hr

Salary Range: California

$35—$40 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.