Senior Director, Space Mission Management

SpaceNexus LLC; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 251,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term cash award

Competitive compensation and benefits

Job summary

Varda Space Industries seeks a Director of Mission Management to own the end-to-end program lifecycle from contract to on-orbit operations and reentry recovery. You will lead a growing team of Mission Managers, Contracts Managers, and Security Professionals, ensuring compliance and performance across national security and commercial missions.

The role emphasizes hands-on planning, cross-functional collaboration, and scalable processes to support a rising flight manifest and complex customer

Qualifications

• 12+ years in aerospace/defense program or mission management with leadership.
• Deep experience executing government contracts — especially firm fixed-price.
• Experience managing classified national security programs.
• Strong technical depth and first principles thinking; ability to engage credibly with engineers.
• Experience with ITAR/EAR compliance in space/defense hardware.
• Track record of leading high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• U.S. citizenship required (ITAR).
• Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, physics, or related technical discipline.

Responsibilities

• Own manifest and define missions yearly across the portfolio, balancing internal pharma objectives, testbed needs, engineering roadmaps, and site availability.
• Lead a team of mission managers through end-to-end program execution for commercial, civil, and national security missions from pre-contract scoping to reentry and recovery.
• Serve as senior interface for key accounts; manage escalations, negotiate contract modifications, and maintain trust with government and commercial offices.
• Chair major customer milestone reviews and ensure the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of all deliverables and payment milestones.

Skills

Mission management

People leadership

Government contracts (FFP)

Classified programs

ITAR/EAR compliance

US citizenship

Engineering collaboration

Program risk management

Education

Engineering/Physics degree

Job description

Varda Space Industries seeks a Director of Mission Management to own the end-to-end program lifecycle from contract to on-orbit operations and reentry recovery. You will lead a growing team of Mission Managers, Contracts Managers, and Security Professionals, ensuring compliance and performance across national security and commercial missions.

The role emphasizes hands-on planning, cross-functional collaboration, and scalable processes to support a rising flight manifest and complex customer