Government Affairs, Manager

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 supports a wide range of customers from pharmaceutical companies creating new products in microgravity, to government agencies testing new capabilities through hypersonic flight. As a member of the Varda government affairs team, you will be responsible for advancing Varda’s priorities with federal government agencies and stakeholders, as well as international partners.  As Senior Manager for Government Affairs, you will share in the responsibility of educating policymakers about Varda business, team, and policies that impact the entire organization. In addition you will help monitor pending legislative, regulatory, and program announcements and opportunities, draft regular government affairs briefing materials, and identify and execute on paths where engaging with international, federal and state level government agencies can assist in accelerating Varda.  
 
This is a full-time, exempt position located in our Washington, D.C. office. 
 
Responsibilities 

• Along with the Vice President for Government Affairs, develop and execute strategies to advance company interests with the Federal government.  

• Identify opportunities to advocate legislation through trade associations or directly. 

• Assist in educating federal policymakers and other stakeholders about Varda’s approach, recent mission updates, etc.  

• Develop and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and executive branch appointees and civil servants. 

• Coordinate with colleagues on business development/regulatory opportunities and risk management. 

• Provide support at conferences and events as needed. 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree or higher in political science, engineering, or other related field 

• 5+ years of federal legislative or executive branch experience 

• Experience with issues and policies relevant to the commercial space industry, regulatory requirements, and civil space programs  

• Strong interpersonal skills 

• Strong written and verbal communication 

• Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution and leadership skills 

• 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 

• Master’s/Juris Doctor in political science, engineering, law, or other related field 

• 8+ years federal legislative or executive branch experience
  
  
• Active security clearance (TS, TS//SCI or S) or willingness to seek a clearance 

Pay Range 

• Salary range: $145,000 - $180,000  

• This role is on-site in Washington, D.C.  

• 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 

• 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