Director, Business Development - Civil Space

Varda•Washington, DC

48d•$200,000 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, science, international relations, business, or related field
7+ years experience in civil space, aerospace, advanced R&D, or government engagement space 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)

Nice To Haves

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.

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 America and 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 developing win themes, 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.

Benefits

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)

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