Senior Contracts Specialist

The role

You will own first-of-kind agreements across microgravity pharmaceutical manufacturing, hypersonic reentry vehicles, and novel government space programs. You will manage the full contract lifecycle for government and commercial customers.

What you will do

• Represent Varda as the counterpart contracting officer for government and commercial missions
• Lead or support negotiations with customers
• Clear the path to signature quickly
• 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

Required qualifications

• BA/BS in law, business, finance, or a related field (equivalent professional experience considered)
• 4–6 years of hands-on contract management experience, with an emphasis on government contracts
• Experience with Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements
• Working knowledge of compliance under the FAR, DFARS, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS)
• Experience negotiating NDAs
• A track record of making persuasive written and verbal arguments in negotiations
• The ability to juggle competing priorities and hit aggressive deadlines
• Experience with export-controlled materials under ITAR and EAR
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as needed
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance

Nice to have

• Active Top Secret/SCI eligible clearance
• Experience structuring commercial agreements in dual-use or regulated technology environments, including IP licensing, data rights, or export-controlled deliverables
• Hands-on experience in spacecraft integration, satellite manufacturing, or GMP/regulated pharmaceutical production

Benefits

• Stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance

About the company

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. The company is headquartered in El Segundo, California.