Production Scheduler

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Relocation assistance

Stock options

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Production Scheduler to manage the detailed production schedule across satellite hardware from subassembly through final test and delivery. You will align program milestones with daily/weekly plans, release work orders, and collaborate with Production, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure parts readiness.

Ideal candidates bring 3+ years in scheduling for complex manufacturing, strong organizational skills, and experience with ERP/MES systems.

Qualifications

• Three or more years in production scheduling or manufacturing coordination in complex environments.
• Strong understanding of workflows, material readiness, and BOM interpretation.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and using scheduling software.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the detailed production schedule from subassembly to delivery.
• Translate milestones into achievable daily/weekly plans and release work orders.
• Coordinate with Production, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure readiness.
• Track progress, flag risks, and communicate recovery plans when needed.
• Support meetings and ensure ERP/MES data accuracy and timely updates.

Skills

Production scheduling

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Education

High school diploma

Associate or bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

ERP

MES

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Primavera P6

Excel

Job description

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.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. 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

The Production Scheduler develops, maintains, and communicates the production schedule that carries satellite hardware from subassembly manufacturing through vehicle integration, test, and delivery. This role partners with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management to make sure hardware, tooling, and documentation are ready when the build needs them. The Production Scheduler is a key voice in identifying schedule risk, resolving production conflicts, and keeping satellite builds aligned to program milestones and launch commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the detailed production schedule that carries satellite hardware from manufacturing through subassembly work, bus integration, and final test.
• Translate program milestones and delivery requirements into achievable daily and weekly production plans.
• Release work orders and track their progress through inspection, test, and hardware readiness.
• Work with Production leadership to establish build priorities and resolve production conflicts.
• Monitor production progress and update the schedule, flagging critical-path constraints and delays before they affect major program milestones.
• Develop recovery schedules when production falls behind, and communicate changes, risks, and recovery plans to all affected teams.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to confirm parts are available before scheduled work begins.
• Partner with Engineering to track drawing releases, work-instruction approvals, and configuration changes.
• Support daily scheduling meetings and weekly schedule reviews, and keep schedule data accurate in the company's ERP and MES systems.
• Track planned-versus-actual performance, maintain vehicle completion forecasts, and support Program Management with scenario planning and schedule-impact assessments.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three or more years of experience in production scheduling, planning, or manufacturing coordination within aerospace, defense, automotive, or another complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing workflows, production dependencies, and material readiness.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, bills of material, and engineering drawings.
• Experience using scheduling, ERP, MES, or project-management software.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively across a cross-functional team from technicians to program leadership.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and keep schedule information accurate in a fast-moving production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in operations management, supply chain, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience scheduling satellite, spacecraft, or launch-vehicle production.
• Advanced skills in scheduling and reporting tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Primavera P6, or Excel.
• Knowledge of critical-path scheduling, capacity planning, and earned-value principles.
• Familiarity with cleanroom operations and configuration-controlled hardware in a low-volume, high-mix production environment.

Pay Range

• Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000/per year
• 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

Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive(at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):

• 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
• Voluntaryaccident, hospital, critical illness,andpet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents
• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

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

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. “US 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).

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. Learn more about theE-Verify program.

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, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.