About This RoleAs 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
- Efficiently manage the contract closeout process, including final deliveries, payments, and resolving outstanding issues
- 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-sitein 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
BenefitsConsider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.
Regular Full-Time Positions: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
Intern Positions:Health & Wellness
- Paid observed holidays
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Financial
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
- Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible
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
