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Contracts Manager

El Segundo, California, 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 an office in Washington, D.C.  

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

 

About This Role

Varda’s Legal team is looking for a contracts manager to support the company’s complex technical contracts with both government offices, and commercial customers.  As a critical member of a small team, you will report directly to the General Counsel and will be responsible for negotiating and managing novel government and commercial aerospace, microgravity, and pharmaceutical contracts.  You will work across a variety of disciplines to shape the future of both the pharmaceutical and hypersonics industries.  This role requires attention to detail, great project management, and strong communication.  As Contracts Manager, you will be directly responsible for various contract life-cycle activities including pre-award and post-award documentation, contract compliance including FAR/DFARS compliance management, supporting proposal generation, organizing and managing contract files.

This is a full-time, exempt position located in our El Segundo headquarters.

Responsibilities

  • Represent Varda to customers and serve as the counterpart contracting officer for both government and commercial missions
  • Lead or support contract negotiations with our customers, while establishing and maintaining a positive working relationship
  • Efficiently remove blockers to contract signature while protecting the company's interests
  • Provide comprehensive contract support and coordination across teams to ensure mission management, operations, proposals, sales, product, and leadership teams are informed of, and are in compliance with signed contracts and regulations
  • Efficiently manage the contract closeout process, including final deliveries, payments, and resolving outstanding issues
  • Manage compliance efforts with government contracts and regulatory entities, including in particular the FAR and DFARS
  • Create and maintain contract and business files
  • Efficiently manage the contract closeout process, including final deliveries, payments, and resolving outstanding issues
  • Advise management of their rights and obligations under the contracts
  • Review, and provide recommendations on, all types of contracts and agreements as needed
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts and agreements, including vendor contracts, client agreements, and partnership agreements

Basic Qualifications

  • BA/BS degree in law, business, finance or similar field
  • 4+ years of contract management experience
  • 2+ years of government contract management experience
  • Experience with various Government contract types, in particular, Firm Fixed Price contracts, Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs),  and Space Act Agreements
  • Experience with government contract compliance requirements under the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation), DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Supplement) and the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS)
  • Experience with commercial contracts, including confidentiality/non-disclosure and vendor agreements
  • Demonstrated ability to negotiate and provide strong verbal and written arguments
  • Ability and willingness to receive Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance
  • Ability to deliver on aggressive and competing deadlines
  • Experience with export controlled materials and compliance under both the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulation) and the EAR (Export Administration Regulation)
  • Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time
  • 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

  • National Contract Management Association Certification
  • TS/SCI Clearance
  • Experience with pharmaceutical or space industries
  • DoD and/or NASA contract administration or related experience

Pay Range

  • Salary range: $125,000 - $170,000/per year.
  • This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
  • 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, 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 here.  

Benefits

  • Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
  • Working in El Segundo, CA - an awesome Southern California beach city with quick access to entertainment and outdoor activities
  • 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.

 

E-Verify Notice                                                               Right To Work Notice

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