Director, Business Development – DoD

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Base pay range : $200,000.00 / yr - $220,000.00 / yr

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, with 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 supports a wide range of customers from pharmaceutical companies creating new products in microgravity, to the Department of War offering our Hypersonic and Reentry testbed. We also invite private industry partners and research / academic institutions conducting advanced research and development in orbital and reentry test. As a Business Development Associate – Hypersonic and Reentry Test, you will be responsible for identifying, growing, qualifying, and capturing new business opportunities to leverage our hypersonic reentry test bed for cutting-edge research, component testing, thermal protection systems testing, and hypersonic product development.

You will develop and manage end-to-end solicitation processes—from initial outreach and proposal development through negotiation and contract closure. Working closely with our engineering, scientific and program teams, you will help shape experimental payload parameters, write white papers, and advocate for policy changes that integrate Varda’s novel architecture into the current DoW paradigms, flight qualification and maturity testing in high hypersonic environments. As part of the business development team, your efforts will directly accelerate the growth of the DoW Hypersonic Test community and ensure that Varda remains at the forefront of in-space innovation.

This is a full-time, exempt position located in Huntsville, AL, or Washington DC.

Responsibilities

Identify and qualify prospective customers, including the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Defense industry hypersonic program managers, US Army, US Space Force, US Air Force, US Navy, Special Operations Command, Combatant Commands and commercial R&D entities, that seek space-borne hypersonic and reentry environments for advanced research and missile component maturation.

Assist in organic growth through deeper market segment penetration with our current customers such the USAF, USSF and DoW.

Take full ownership of select solicitations, managing the process from the initial approach and proposal development through contract negotiations and closure.

Collaborate with technical and program management teams to translate customer requirements into feasible mission parameters, ensuring alignment with Varda’s capabilities and strategic objectives.

Write white papers, policy briefs, and strategic recommendations to influence stakeholders, advocating for the integration of Varda’s reentry and orbital test solutions into existing in-space infrastructure and research paradigms.

Contribute to comprehensive proposals that include technical scopes, pricing models, compliance documentation, and schedules, ensuring submissions meet customer and regulatory standards.

Analyze DoW customer budget exhibits to understand program schedules, funding, milestones and procurement strategies.

Develop relationships with key stakeholders—ranging from government customers and academia to private industry leads—and maintain a steady pipeline of opportunities.

Represent Varda at conferences, networking events, and industry forums to increase market visibility and strengthen our brand within the commercial space, academia and DoW market segments.

Monitor industry trends, regulatory shifts, and emerging technologies in the DoW space and hypersonic domains, keeping internal teams informed and adjusting strategies accordingly.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, engineering, science, or related field

5+ years of professional experience in DoW aerospace, research, or technology-driven industries

Demonstrated interest in spaceflight, hypersonic research, and related R&D fields

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling white papers and policy recommendations

Experience managing solicitations end-to-end, from initial contact through contract closure

Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive stakeholder relationships

Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time (both domestic and international)

Active TS / SCI or ability to fast track to one

U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. to conform with U.S. Government space technology export regulations under ITAR

Preferred Skills and Experience

Master’s degree in business management, strategic studies, or engineering

Previous business development or sales experience in the Defense aerospace sector

Familiarity with DoW Program / Budget process, proposal processes, international space agency frameworks, and academic research funding cycles

Existing network within the DoW hypersonic or reentry test communities, government space agencies, or related commercial markets

Experience in writing policy opinions and engaging in thought leadership activities within the aerospace ecosystem

Pay Range

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

This role is on-site in Huntsville, AL, or Washington DC.

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.

ITAR Requirements

Varda requires that employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Some of our technology access requires export licenses. Our policy is to hire “U.S. persons” who may access 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).

Learn more about the ITAR here.

Benefits

Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field

Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth

401(k) matching

Unlimited PTO

Health insurance, including Vision and Dental

Lunch and snacks provided on site; dinners provided twice a week

Maternity / Paternity leave

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates are evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will not discriminate on protected characteristics.

E-Verify Statement : Varda Space Industries participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

US work authorization information and notices provided as required.

Job Function and Seniority

Director, Business Development

Business Development and Sales

Location

Washington, DC or Huntsville, AL

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