Senior Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Brand Designer

Company: Vast

Location: Long Beach, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Brand Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-30

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (3-7 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive visual brand strategy and execution for a pioneering space infrastructure company, focusing on a wide array of creative assets from event graphics to key art.

• Maintain and evolve an established design system, ensuring brand consistency and high-quality visual representation across all company touchpoints.

• Collaborate closely with Brand Design, Communications, Events, and Marketing Operations teams to deliver integrated and impactful creative solutions.

• Blend conceptual thinking with hands-on production skills, handling projects from initial ideation through to final delivery.

• Translate complex strategies and messaging into clear, compelling visual narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is for a Senior Brand Designer, indicating a need for both strong craft and the ability to operate independently and contribute to strategic brand direction. The company's focus on space infrastructure suggests a need for sophisticated, forward-thinking design that communicates innovation and reliability.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design a diverse range of visual assets, including event graphics, presentation decks, RFP layouts, illustrations, key art, and other collateral that aligns with brand guidelines.

• Actively contribute to and expand the existing design system, identifying opportunities for improvement and ensuring its robust application across all creative output.

• Develop high-quality layouts, sophisticated typography systems, and compelling visual assets that elevate the Vast brand.

• Skillfully translate strategic objectives and messaging into clear, impactful, and visually engaging creative executions.

• Engage directly in production work, demonstrating a commitment to seeing projects through from concept to final files, regardless of scale or complexity.

• Uphold stringent brand consistency and quality standards across all internal and external communications and marketing materials.

• Clearly articulate design rationale and present creative work effectively to cross-functional stakeholders and leadership.

• Proactively manage multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously, maintaining organized workflows and ensuring timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "rolling up your sleeves on production" and managing "multiple fast-moving projects" indicates a need for a hands-on designer who can also manage project pipelines efficiently, a common requirement in high-growth environments. The responsibility to "present work and rationale clearly" highlights the importance of strong communication and strategic thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Brand Designer role. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience: 3-7 years of professional brand design experience, with a demonstrated history of working across a variety of project types and formats. Experience in an agency setting or a fast-paced, high-growth brand environment is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Advanced skills in Figma for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Strong command of Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for integrated workflows.

• Exceptional typography, layout, color theory, and visual storytelling capabilities.

• Proven ability to think conceptually and develop systematic design solutions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present design concepts and rationale effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of brand systems, campaigns, presentations, event graphics, and production-ready work. Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to the development and maintenance of comprehensive brand guidelines and design systems.

• Proven versatility in taking on diverse design tasks, from initial concept development to final asset production.

• A meticulous, craft-obsessed approach with a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to visual excellence.

• Systems-aware mindset, with the ability to work within existing design systems and propose enhancements.

• Self-directed work ethic with strong organizational skills and proactive communication with team members and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 3-7 years of experience positions this role as a senior individual contributor, expected to lead projects and mentor junior designers if applicable. The emphasis on Figma and Google Workspace indicates an integrated digital workflow common in modern design teams. The portfolio requirement is critical, needing to showcase breadth and depth across various design disciplines.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of brand system development, showcasing how foundational elements are applied consistently across diverse touchpoints.

• Include case studies of campaigns or projects that clearly articulate the strategic problem, the design process, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Showcase expertise in presentation design, including examples of complex information being organized and visualized effectively for executive audiences.

• Present examples of event or environmental graphics, illustrating the ability to create immersive and on-brand experiences.

• Feature production-ready work, highlighting attention to detail, technical execution, and understanding of print and digital production requirements. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing and implementing effective workflows for creative project management, from brief to delivery.

• Examples of how design processes were streamlined or improved for efficiency, potentially involving automation or better tool utilization.

• Documentation or case studies that show how design decisions were informed by research, data, or user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Brand Designer, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also strategic thinking, process efficiency, and the ability to contribute to a cohesive brand system within a complex organization like Vast. The emphasis on "production-ready work" suggests a need for practical, execution-focused skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided range of $121,900 - $173,000 USD for California, this role is positioned at a competitive level for a Senior Brand Designer in the Long Beach, CA area, reflecting the specialized skills and experience required. The final salary will be calibrated based on the selected candidate's qualifications and the specific demands of the role.

Benefits:

• Company equity, offering ownership and a stake in Vast's success.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Generous paid time off, including 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff, with an annual cash-out option for unused vacation.

• Paid parental leave to support new parents.

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance for income protection.

• Life insurance coverage for peace of mind.

• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan for long-term financial planning.

• ClassPass credits for fitness and wellness.

• Personalized mental healthcare support through Spring Health.

• Various other discounts and perks.

• Exceptional food perks, including free snacks, drip coffee, onsite barista, cold drinks, and subsidized lunch.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, exempt position. While a standard 40-hour work week is expected, the role may require evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones, reflecting the demanding nature of the aerospace industry and the company's operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated, and the benefits package is extensive, indicating a strong commitment to employee well-being and long-term engagement. The mention of "exempt" status and potential weekend/evening work is crucial for setting expectations regarding work hours and flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Vast operates in the cutting-edge aerospace and space infrastructure sector, focusing on developing next-generation space stations and satellite technology. This industry demands innovation, precision, and a long-term vision, influencing the company's culture towards ambitious problem-solving and technological advancement.

Company Size: With over 1,000 employees, Vast is a significant player in the commercial space industry, moving beyond a startup phase into a growth stage. This size suggests a dynamic environment with established processes but still retaining the agility and rapid pace often found in high-growth companies.

Founded: Founded with a mission to enable a new space economy, Vast has rapidly progressed, with its Haven Demo success and upcoming Haven-1 launch underscoring its ambitious trajectory. This history of rapid development and significant private capital infusion shapes a culture of achievement and forward momentum.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Design team likely operates as a specialized unit within a larger Marketing or Brand department, collaborating closely with Communications, Events, and Marketing Operations.

• Reporting to the Senior Director, Brand Design, the Senior Brand Designer will be part of a team focused on maintaining and elevating the company's visual identity.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, involving regular interaction with product teams, engineering, sales, and leadership to ensure brand alignment across all initiatives. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are crucial for understanding market perception and campaign effectiveness, guiding design decisions.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies are essential for managing a high volume of creative projects efficiently within a fast-paced environment.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed to streamline design processes and ensure timely delivery of assets.

Company Website: vastspace.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Vast's mission in space infrastructure is highly ambitious and technologically driven. The company culture is likely to be fast-paced, innovative, and results-oriented, attracting individuals passionate about space exploration and cutting-edge technology. The combination of established processes (due to size) and rapid growth means designers must be adaptable and driven.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Senior Brand Designer role is positioned at a mid-to-senior individual contributor level. It requires a strong foundation of design craft, strategic thinking, and the ability to work independently. The role is expected to contribute significantly to the brand's visual direction and execution, potentially mentoring junior designers or leading specific project streams.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Senior Director, Brand Design, placing it within a focused design leadership structure. This allows for clear guidance, feedback, and career development within the design discipline.

Operations Impact: Brand design at Vast directly impacts brand perception, market positioning, and the ability to attract talent, customers, and investors. High-quality, consistent branding is critical for communicating Vast's innovation, reliability, and vision in the competitive aerospace sector. The designer's work will be instrumental in shaping how the company is perceived globally.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas, such as motion graphics, illustration, or advanced brand system development, through internal projects and potentially external training.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead Brand Designer or Art Director role, taking on more strategic oversight, team management, and client/stakeholder management responsibilities.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining broader experience by collaborating on projects with marketing, communications, product development, and even engineering teams, fostering a holistic understanding of the business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a pathway to leadership or specialized expertise. Growth opportunities should be framed around both deepening design craft and expanding strategic influence within the organization, a common trajectory for successful brand designers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Located in Long Beach, California, the work environment is likely a modern office space designed to foster collaboration and innovation, typical of high-tech companies in the aerospace sector. The company emphasizes its facilities for manufacturing and operations, suggesting a blend of corporate and technical environments.

Office Location(s): The primary office is in Long Beach, California. This location is known for its aerospace industry presence and provides access to a skilled talent pool. The company may have other facilities related to its manufacturing or operational needs.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed for collaboration, with opportunities to interact with designers, marketers, and other professionals across various departments.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including high-performance workstations and software, is expected.

• The environment encourages interaction and idea exchange, vital for a creative role supporting complex technological endeavors.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with a standard 40-hour work week. However, the company culture and industry demands may necessitate flexibility, including potential evening and weekend work to meet critical mission milestones or project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Long Beach location places Vast within a significant aerospace hub. The work environment is expected to be professional, collaborative, and technologically advanced, supporting the company's mission. The mention of travel (up to 50%) and flexible hours is important to note for candidates.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Presentation of your portfolio to the hiring manager and potentially other design team members. This may be followed by a design challenge or exercise to evaluate conceptual thinking, design execution, and problem-solving skills under time constraints.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with cross-functional team members (e.g., from Marketing, Communications, or product teams) to assess collaboration style and ability to translate business needs into creative solutions.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to confirm fit, discuss career aspirations, and finalize details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your range, especially those demonstrating brand systems, campaign work, presentation design, and production capabilities relevant to Vast's needs.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, the process you followed, and the impact of your design. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Demonstrate how you approach brand consistency and extend design systems. Show examples of how you've made a brand cohesive across different touchpoints.

• Show Production Readiness: Include examples that prove your technical proficiency and understanding of print/digital production processes.

• Tailor to Vast: If possible, subtly tailor your presentation or include a speculative piece that shows you understand Vast's brand and industry.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, thoroughly analyze the brief, ask clarifying questions, and ensure you understand the objectives and constraints.

• Focus on Process: Be prepared to walk through your thought process, even for speculative work. Demonstrating how you arrive at a solution is as important as the final output.

• Time Management: Practice working within time limits, prioritizing tasks, and delivering a polished presentation.

• Strategic Rationale: Be ready to defend your design choices with clear, logical reasoning tied back to the brief's objectives and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process likely involves a strong emphasis on portfolio review and practical design evaluation. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process and strategic thinking, not just showcase aesthetic skills. The inclusion of travel and weekend work suggests that candidates should be ready to discuss their flexibility and commitment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert proficiency is mandatory, covering Photoshop for image manipulation, Illustrator for vector graphics and logos, and InDesign for layout and print production.

• Figma: Advanced skills are required for collaborative design, prototyping, and working within design systems.

• Google Workspace: Essential for integrated workflows, including Google Slides for presentations, Docs for documentation, and Sheets for data management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary design tool, familiarity with how design performance is measured (e.g., through website analytics, campaign performance metrics) is beneficial for understanding design's impact. CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed as primary design requirements, but understanding how marketing automation platforms or CRMs interact with creative assets (e.g., email templates) can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified tools (Adobe CC, Figma, Google Workspace) are industry standards for brand design. Proficiency in these is non-negotiable. Familiarity with how design integrates into broader marketing technology stacks (like CRM and automation) can be a plus, demonstrating a holistic understanding of the GTM process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to push boundaries and explore new creative solutions, reflecting Vast's pioneering spirit in space technology.

• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality craft, meticulous attention to detail, and delivering outstanding visual outcomes.

• Collaboration: A team-oriented approach, valuing open communication, constructive feedback, and collective problem-solving across departments.

• Agility: The ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and project needs in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on creating designs that not only look good but also achieve strategic business objectives and effectively communicate Vast's mission.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Brand Design, Comms, Events, and Marketing Ops to ensure a unified brand message and aesthetic.

• Feedback Exchange: An open culture where constructive feedback is encouraged and valued, leading to continuous improvement of creative work.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share expertise, best practices, and insights within the design team and with other departments to elevate the overall creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in space technology implies a culture that values innovation, precision, and long-term vision. The design team's values will likely mirror this, emphasizing quality, strategic thinking, and collaborative execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Breadth and Depth: The role requires versatility across many design formats, which can be challenging to master equally. Candidates must be comfortable with diverse tasks while maintaining high standards.

• Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to the fast-paced nature of a rapidly growing company, where priorities can shift quickly, and new projects emerge frequently.

• Communicating Complex Concepts: Translating highly technical aspects of space infrastructure into accessible and compelling visual narratives for a broad audience.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive brand identity across an ever-expanding range of touchpoints and initiatives as the company scales.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to enhance skills in emerging design technologies or specialized areas through internal projects or external workshops.

• Strategic Brand Development: Involvement in shaping the brand's strategic direction and contributing to long-term brand initiatives.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to aerospace engineering, product development, and marketing strategy, broadening understanding of the business.

• Mentorship: Potential to receive guidance from senior design leadership and contribute to mentoring junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a senior role in a high-growth, innovative company. The growth opportunities should focus on advancing both creative craft and strategic business acumen.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex technical concept into a clear visual narrative. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, strategic thinking, and visual communication skills.)

• "How do you approach extending or improving an existing design system? Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Assess understanding of systems, adaptability, and strategic contribution.)

• "Walk us through a brand campaign you led or significantly contributed to. What were the objectives, your role, the challenges, and the results?" (Demonstrate campaign management, strategic execution, and impact measurement.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Vast's mission and the aerospace industry? How do you see your design skills contributing to our success?" (Gauge passion, industry interest, and alignment with company vision.)

• "Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams, such as marketing or engineering. How do you ensure effective collaboration and alignment?" (Evaluate teamwork, communication, and stakeholder management.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and technologies, especially those relevant to high-tech industries like aerospace?" (Assess commitment to continuous learning and industry awareness.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a brief overview of your career and approach, then dive into 2-3 key projects that highlight your best work and relevance to Vast.

• Focus on Process and Rationale: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic thinking behind your design decisions, the challenges encountered, and the final outcome/impact.

• Showcase Range and Systems: Ensure your presentation demonstrates your versatility across different design types (branding, events, presentations, production) and your ability to work within or enhance design systems.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs and your ability to drive business results.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, problem-solving approach, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, process-driven design, and an understanding of Vast's unique industry and mission. Candidates need to articulate their contributions and impact clearly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects that align with the responsibilities and qualifications outlined, emphasizing brand systems, campaign design, presentation graphics, and production work. Prepare 2-3 case studies that clearly articulate your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 3-7 years of relevant brand design experience, expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma, and any experience in agency or high-growth environments. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design process, strategic rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare answers to common interview questions related to design strategy, collaboration, and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Vast, its mission, its products (space stations, satellites), and its current brand presence. Understand the competitive landscape in the aerospace industry and how strong branding contributes to success in this sector.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.