Director, Business Development - Civil Space

Director, Business Development – Civil Space

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

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.

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 (coming soon).

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

Varda is building the commercial infrastructure to enable a scalable orbital economy. Our autonomous, reentry-capable satellites unlock new pharmaceutical and advanced R&D pathways in microgravity.

As Director of Business Development for Civil Space, you will drive the strategic shift from legacy ISS / CLD-era paradigms towards the adoption of autonomous free-flying platforms across NASA and fast-moving international space agencies. You will shape program demand, influence procurement strategy, and architect multi-year partnerships with government research communities who require microgravity environments and reentry capabilities.

Partnering closely with Varda's Government Affairs, mission management, and spacecraft teams, you will guide the global civil space market toward the next generation microgravity architecture—and close the deals that make it real at scale.

This is a full-time, exempt position located in our Washington, D.C. office.

Responsibilities

Lead Varda's civil space strategy at NASA across Flight Opportunities, CLD transition pathways, and ISS National Lab stakeholders.

Shape agency-level demand signals, budget priorities, and future solicitations that incorporate commercial free-flier manufacturing into civil space R&D programs. Provide insight on microgravity utilization policy and research-to-application pathways.

Define, and focus international development efforts on high-velocity, sovereign growth markets, including, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and South Americaand establish frameworks that integrate Varda's orbital R&D services into national research and industrial-innovation agendas.

Run capture on priority campaigns from early shaping through award, including developingwinthemes, teaming strategy, pricing posture, and competitive narratives.

Partner with Varda's Government Affairs, mission management, and technical teams to craft white papers, policy recommendations, and budget narratives that align civil customer priorities with Varda's capabilities.

Build senior-level relationships across government, academia, sovereign RD&I ministries, and commercial partners to accelerate the adoption of autonomous microgravity platforms.

Represent Varda externally across the global civil space ecosystem, building global recognition of autonomous in-space manufacturing as the new standard for microgravity research.

Track emerging budget cycles, space policy direction, and future mission architectures; inform internal investment decisions based on where future demand is forming—not where it already exists.

Shape frameworks for space-based research by connecting Varda's technology with academic institutions, innovation agencies, and regulatory bodies building the next-generation orbital economy.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, science, international relations, business, or related field

7+ years experience in civil space, aerospace, advanced R&D, orgovernment engagementspace BD / capture

Demonstrated experience engaging NASA, the U.S. government, and international civil space agencies on major programs or research initiatives, ideally involving microgravity research or orbital R&D.

Proven ability to shape, influence, and close complex government or international programs in emerging technology sectors

Exceptional written and verbal strategic communication, including policy and technical narrative development

Ability to travel up to 50% (domestic + international sovereign markets)

U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident (ITAR)

Preferred Skills And Experience

Deep familiarity with NASA programs program structures and evolving commercial frameworks (CLD, Flight Opportunities, ISSNL, SBIR / STTR)

Established network within Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and South American space ministries, spaceflight programs, or sovereign research funding agencies

Experience leading policy thought leadership on future commercial space architectures related to orbital R&D, in-space manufacturing, or microgravity utilization frameworks.

Pay Range

Salary range : $200,000.00 - $220,000.00 per year

This role is on-site in Washington, D.C.

Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance.

You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and / or long-term cash awards.

Offer compensation also includes the ability to purchase company stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

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. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than "U.S. Persons" as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

"US 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 in the U.S.)

Learn more about the ITAR

Benefits and Perks

Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side

Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)

401(k) matching (interns excluded)Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)

Health insurance, including Vision and Dental

Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.

Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

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.

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.

Interested in building your career at Varda Space Industries? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

J-18808-Ljbffr