Varda Space

Senior Contracts Specialist

El Segundo, California, United States · Senior

No sponsorship$155k-$175kDetected 1 day ago

ComplianceNegotiationContract ManagementGMPLeadershipCommunicationFiber Optics

About the role

As the Senior Contracts Specialist at Varda, you will negotiate complex, first-of-kind agreements at the forefront of the commercial space industry.
Our Mission Management team sits at the heart of an operation unlike anything in the industry, manufacturing in orbit and returning products to Earth at hypersonic speeds.
This is a rare opportunity for a contracts professional who wants their work to matter.

Provide comprehensive contract support and coordination across teams to ensure mission management, operations, proposals, sales, product, and leadership teams are informed of, and are in compliance with signed contracts and regulations
Efficiently manage the contract closeout process, including final deliveries, payments, and resolving outstanding issues
Manage compliance efforts with government contracts and regulatory entities, including in particular the FAR, DFARS, and export-control regulations
Create and maintain contract and business files
Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
You'll own first-of-kind agreements spanning microgravity pharmaceutical manufacturing, hypersonic reentry vehicles, and novel government space programs, working directly with the Contracts Manager to turn audacious science into executable contracts that make it all possible.
Relocation support for new hires, if needed

BA/BS degree in law, business, finance or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience
A minimum of 4-6 years of hands-on experience years of contract management experience with emphasis on government contract management experience
Experience with government contract types, including Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements
Working knowledge of government contract compliance requirements under the FAR, DFARS, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS)
Experience negotiating non-disclosure agreements
Experience with export-controlled materials and regulatory compliance under ITAR and EAR

Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
Senior: $155,000 - $175,000/per year
Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

Management team sits at the heart of an operation unlike anything in the industry, manufacturing in orbit and returning products to Earth at hypersonic speeds.
As a critical member of a lean, high-impact team, you'll manage the full contract lifecycle, from pre-award strategy and proposal support through negotiation, FAR/DFARS compliance, export-control management, and post-award execution, across both government and commercial customers.
Your attention to detail and cross-functional communication will directly determine how fast Varda can move.
Represent Varda to customers and serve as the counterpart contracting officer for both government and commercial missions
Lead or support contract negotiations with our customers, while establishing and maintaining a positive working relationship
Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items.

This listing is sourced directly from Varda Space's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.