Director of Business Development, Indo-Pacific Defense Strategy

Varda Space Industries•El Segundo, CA

13h•$200,000 - $235,000•Onsite

About The Position

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Director of Indo-Pacific Defense Strategy & Business Development to establish and lead the company's presence across the Indo-Pacific theater. This individual will be the primary point of contact between Varda and key commands, agencies, and allied nations within the USPACOM Area of Responsibility. The role involves driving engagement from initial contact to contract signing with various U.S. military commands and international partners, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The work will directly impact significant defense programs in the region, such as the Guam Defense System (GDS) and regional missile defense architectures. This is a full-time, exempt position based in Honolulu, HI.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, international relations, or a related field
5+ years of professional experience in DoD aerospace, defense technology, or international strategic development
Must be based in or willing to relocate to Honolulu, HI
Active TS/SCI clearance, or ability to be fast-tracked for one
U.S. Citizenship required (ITAR compliance)
Demonstrated ability to manage defense solicitations end-to-end, including international contract nuances
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including white papers and strategic policy recommendations for senior military leadership
Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time throughout the Pacific Rim and the continental U.S.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Strategic Studies, International Security, or Business Management
Deep understanding of the PACOM AOR, including the Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability (PMTEC)
Existing relationships within the Honolulu-based defense community, U.S. Embassy Country Teams (DAO/Attachés), and Pacific Rim defense ministries
Proven track record closing Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) transactions with Pacific Rim partners
Experience engaging in policy circles on hypersonic threats and missile defense architecture in the Pacific

Responsibilities

Serve as Varda's primary point of contact for Honolulu-based commands — USPACOM, PACFLT, USARPAC, PACAF, SPACEFOR-PACOM, and MARFORPAC.
Align Varda's hypersonic reentry, space cargo delivery, and missile defense capabilities with theater-specific operational requirements.
Ensure Varda is embedded in the theater's exercises, test ranges, and procurement cycles.
Identify, qualify, and close new business with Pacific Rim allied nations — including Japan, South Korea, and Australia — for missile defense testing, validation, and advanced hypersonic research.
Navigate the full international sales cycle from early engagement through ITAR/EAR compliance and contract close.
Penetrate the broader Pacific targets market by engaging MDA, USSF, and international defense ministries to integrate Varda's reentry testbeds into regional exercises and test programs.
Analyze DoD and partner budget documents to track program schedules, funding milestones, and procurement strategies.
Lead domestic and international solicitations from white paper development through final proposal submission, working alongside the Director of Captures.
Collaborate with Varda's engineering and mission management teams to translate INDOPACOM-specific requirements into solutions, ensuring our capabilities are accurately represented in theater-specific proposals and business development efforts.
Build and maintain a robust pipeline by cultivating relationships with U.S. government leads, international defense attachés, and Pacific-based private industry partners.
Represent Varda at key regional forums, including LANPAC, TechNet Indo-Pacific, and international defense symposiums across the Pacific Rim.
Engage in policy conversations around hypersonic threats and missile defense architecture.