Senior Contracts Specialist

Varda Space Industries•El Segundo, CA

3d•$155,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

Varda is hiring a Senior Contracts Specialist to manage first-of-kind agreements related to microgravity pharmaceutical manufacturing, hypersonic reentry vehicles, and government space programs. The role works directly with the Contracts Manager on a lean team and helps remove contractual blockers, protect Varda’s interests, and support the company’s growth. The specialist manages the full contract lifecycle for government and commercial customers, including pre-award strategy and proposal support, negotiation, FAR/DFARS compliance, export-control management, post-award execution, and closeout. The role is full-time and 100% on-site in El Segundo, California, with travel of up to 10% as needed. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance and access to export-controlled items; Varda’s policy is to hire U.S. persons permitted to access its technology without an export license. Base salary is $155,000–$175,000 per year. The role also offers stock options and/or long-term cash awards. Leveling and base salary depend on job-related skills, education, experience, and performance.

Requirements

BA/BS in law, business, finance, or a related field; equivalent professional experience is 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.
Track record of making persuasive written and verbal arguments in negotiations.
Ability to juggle competing priorities and meet 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.
Must be a U.S. person permitted to access Varda’s technology without an export license, under the company’s stated policy.

Nice To Haves

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, where process discipline and documentation integrity are essential.

Responsibilities

Represent Varda as the counterpart contracting officer for government and commercial missions.
Lead or support customer negotiations, build working relationships, and protect Varda’s interests.
Find workable contract structures and clear agreements 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.
Manage contract closeout, including final deliveries, payments, and resolution of 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.
Manage contract lifecycle activities, including pre-award strategy and proposal support, negotiation, post-award execution, and closeout.