Senior Space Contracts Specialist – Government & OTA

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

Benefits offered by this job

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Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Senior Contracts Specialist to own first-of-kind agreements across government and commercial missions. You’ll manage the full contract lifecycle from pre-award strategy to closeout, ensuring FAR/DFARS compliance and export controls.

This on-site role requires strong negotiation skills and the ability to move quickly in a lean environment. You’ll collaborate with contracts, legal, and operations teams and travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of hands-on contract management experience, with a focus on government contracts.
• Experience with Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements.
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS).
• Strong written and verbal negotiation skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% and ability to obtain Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Represent Varda as contracting officer for government and commercial missions.
• Lead or support negotiations with customers while protecting the company's interests.
• Clear the path to signature quickly, finding the structure that works for both sides.
• Keep mission management, operations, proposals, sales, product, and leadership aligned with signed contracts and regulations.
• Own compliance with the FAR, DFARS, and export-control regulations.
• Run contract closeout, including final deliveries, payments, and resolving open issues.
• Maintain accurate contract and business files.
• Advise leadership on Varda’s rights and obligations under its agreements.
• Draft, review, and negotiate NDAs, customer agreements, partnership agreements, and other contracts.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Clearance eligibility

Education

BA/BS in law, business, or related field

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Senior Contracts Specialist to own first-of-kind agreements across government and commercial missions. You’ll manage the full contract lifecycle from pre-award strategy to closeout, ensuring FAR/DFARS compliance and export controls.

This on-site role requires strong negotiation skills and the ability to move quickly in a lean environment. You’ll collaborate with contracts, legal, and operations teams and travel up to 10%.