Senior Contracts Specialist

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation support

Health insurance

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Senior Contracts Specialist to negotiate complex, first‑of‑kind agreements at the forefront of the commercial space industry.

You will own the full contract lifecycle, from pre‑award strategy to post‑award execution, collaborating with the Contracts Manager and cross‑functional teams to turn audacious plans into executable contracts that advance in‑space manufacturing and related programs.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in law, business, finance or related field; equivalent professional experience considered.
• 4–6 years of hands-on contract management experience with emphasis on government contracts.
• Experience with government contract types, including FFP and OTA agreements.
• Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS and NASA FAR Supplement.
• Experience negotiating non-disclosure agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to construct and deliver persuasive arguments in negotiation.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience with ITAR and EAR export-control compliance.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time and obtain a TOP SECRET clearance.
• This full-time onsite role requires work in El Segundo, CA.

Responsibilities

• Represent Varda to customers and serve as contracting officer for government and commercial missions.
• Lead or support contract negotiations while maintaining positive relationships.
• Remove blockers to contract signature while protecting company interests.
• Coordinate contract support across teams to ensure compliance with signed contracts.
• Manage contract closeout, deliveries, payments, and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, NASA FAR Supplement and export controls.
• Create and maintain contract and business files; advise management on obligations.
• Review and negotiate various contracts and agreements as needed.

Skills

Contract negotiations

Government contracts

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional coordination

Attention to detail

Communication

Travel up to 10%

On-site work

Education

BA/BS in law, business, finance or related

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.

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

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. 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.

This is a rare opportunity for a contracts professional who wants their work to matter. 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.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Efficiently remove blockers to contract signature while protecting the company's interests
• 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
• Advise management of their rights and obligations under the contracts
• Review, and provide recommendations on all types of contracts and agreements as needed
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts and agreements, including non‑disclosure agreements, contracts, customer agreements, and partnership agreements

Basic Qualifications

• 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
• Demonstrated ability to construct and deliver persuasive written and verbal arguments in a negotiation setting
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver against aggressive deadlines
• Experience with export‑controlled materials and regulatory compliance under ITAR and EAR
• Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time (as needed)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance
• This full‑time position requires 100% onsite work in El Segundo CA.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Active Top Secret/SCI eligible clearance
• Demonstrated experience structuring or executing commercial agreements in a dual‑use or regulated technology environment, including IP licensing, data rights, or export‑controlled deliverables
• Direct hands‑on experience in spacecraft integration, satellite manufacturing, or GMP/regulated pharmaceutical production environments, industries where process discipline, documentation integrity, and mission criticality are non‑negotiable

Pay Range

• Salary Range: Senior: $155,000 - $175,000/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

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):

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. Learn more about the E‑Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

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.