Manager, Crystallization Science

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Stock options

Parental leave

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking a highly motivated Manager to lead the Crystallization Screening Team, advancing microgravity crystallization for therapeutics and supporting automation to speed development timelines. You will shape the biopharma culture and collaborate across R&D to connect research with company goals.

You will drive collaborations, coordinate budgets, and deliver results while mentoring junior researchers and communicating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related fields and 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Hands‑on experience with polymorph screening of small molecules or crystallization of biologics.
• Strong foundation in materials science, organic chemistry, protein chemistry and/or physical biochemistry principles.
• Demonstrated ability to set technical direction and deliver results.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism, Python, or R).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Alongside breadth, demonstrated depth of technical expertise and scientific leadership in at least one modality and aspect of drug substance development.
• Experience managing external partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee crystallization screening and characterization of molecules for microgravity opportunities across a diverse range of modalities including small molecules and biologics.
• Support the team in advancing the field of microgravity crystallization, while adopting best practices in drug substance development, including adoption of automation technologies to accelerate development timelines.
• Support and advance collaborations with external partners, CROs, and vendors.
• Ensure alignment of research and development activities, budgets, and timelines to company goals and initiatives, together with project organization and tracking to ensure projects deliverables meet timeline expectations.
• Effectively manage interfaces across the pharmaceutical development groups.

Skills

PhD in Chemistry

4+ years relevant experience

Polymorph screening

Crystallization of biologics

Data analysis (Excel, Python, R)

Independent work

Technical leadership

Excellent communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry

MS in related fields

Tools

Excel

GraphPad Prism

Python

R

Job description

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.

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.

From life‑saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. 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 is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in‑space ecosystem.

About This Role

Our pharmaceutical team is looking for a highly motivated and effective Manager who will lead the Crystallization Screening Team towards our efforts in improving therapeutics with microgravity. This is an opportunity in an exciting area of growth for Varda, where you will get to shape Varda’s biopharma culture and will play a significant role in establishing the low Earth orbit economy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee crystallization screening and characterization of molecules for microgravity opportunities across a diverse range of modalities including small molecules and biologics.
• Support the team in advancing the field of microgravity crystallization, while adopting best practices in drug substance development, including adoption of automation technologies to accelerate development timelines.
• Support and advance collaborations with external partners, CROs, and vendors.
• Ensure alignment of research and development activities, budgets, and timelines to company goals and initiatives, together with project organization and tracking to ensure projects deliverables meet timeline expectations.
• Effectively manage interfaces across the pharmaceutical development groups.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D., degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related fields and 4+ years of relevant industry experience OR M.S., degree in related fields and 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Hands‑on experience with either polymorph screening of small molecules or crystallization of biologics.
• Strong foundation in materials science, organic chemistry, protein chemistry and/or physical biochemistry principles.
• Demonstrated ability to set technical direction and deliver results.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism, Python, or R).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Alongside breadth, demonstrated depth of technical expertise and scientific leadership in at least one modality and aspect of drug substance development (analytical, crystallization, process engineering, or drug product development).
• Experience managing external partnerships.
• Exceptional organizational and project management capabilities.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Ph.D., degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related fields and 8+ years of relevant industry experience OR M.S., degree in related fields and 12+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience in crystallography and relevant analytical techniques including XRPD, TGA, DSC, ED, cryo EM.
• 2+ years of prior people‑management experience.
• Track record of scientific achievement as demonstrated by publications in peer‑reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
• Demonstrated expertise in new technology development (platform, modality, or process).
• Experience applying quality by design, or statistical process engineering methodologies in a research & development environment to ensure structured development strategies.
• Experience establishing and enforcing technical and programmatic standards.
• Exceptional communication ability with diverse technical and executive audiences.

Pay Range

• Salary range: $160,000 – $190,000 per year
• This role is on‑site in El Segundo, CA
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job‑related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long‑term cash awards

Benefits

Health & Wellness

• 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
• Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
• $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

Financial & Retirement

• 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
• Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team‑bonding events, happy hours and mission‑success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

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. Because our employees are provided access to export‑controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“U.S. person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E‑Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E‑Verify program. The E‑Verify program is an Internet‑based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, 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.