Business Development Associate - Microgravity

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 space agencies and private industry partners conducting advanced research and development in orbit. As a Business Development Associate, Microgravity, you will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, and capturing new business opportunities to leverage microgravity environments for cutting-edge research, manufacturing, and product development.

You will develop and manage end-to-end solicitation processes—from initial outreach and proposal development through negotiation and contract closure. Working closely with our engineering and scientific teams, you will help shape experimental payload parameters, write white papers, and advocate for policy changes that integrate Varda’s novel architecture into the current space station paradigm. As part of the business development team, your efforts will directly accelerate the growth of the orbital economy and ensure that Varda remains at the forefront of in-space innovation.

This is a full-time, exempt position located in our Washington, D.C. office.

Responsibilities

• Identify and qualify prospective customers, including NASA, international space agencies, universities, and commercial R&D entities, that seek microgravity environments for advanced research or manufacturing.
• Take full ownership of select solicitations, managing the process from the initial approach and proposal development through contract negotiations and closure.
• Collaborate with technical and mission management teams to translate customer requirements into feasible mission parameters, ensuring alignment with Varda’s capabilities and strategic objectives.
• Write white papers, policy briefs, and strategic recommendations to influence stakeholders, advocating for the integration of Varda’s microgravity solutions into existing in-space infrastructure and research paradigms.
• Contribute to comprehensive proposals that include technical scopes, pricing models, compliance documentation, and schedules, ensuring submissions meet customer and regulatory standards.
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders—ranging from government customers and academics to private industry leads—and maintain a steady pipeline of opportunities.
• Represent Varda at conferences, networking events, and industry forums to increase market visibility and strengthen our brand within the commercial space sector.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory shifts, and emerging technologies in the microgravity domain, keeping internal teams informed and adjusting strategies accordingly.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, engineering, science, or related field
• 3+ years of professional experience in aerospace, research, or technology-driven industries
• Demonstrated interest in spaceflight, microgravity research, and related R&D fields
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling white papers and policy recommendations
• Experience managing solicitations end-to-end, from initial contact through contract closure
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive stakeholder relationships
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time (both domestic and international)
• 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

• Previous business development or sales experience in the aerospace sector
• Familiarity with NASA proposal processes, international space agency frameworks, and academic research funding cycles
• Existing network within the microgravity research community, government space agencies, or related commercial markets
• Experience in writing policy opinions and engaging in thought leadership activities within the aerospace ecosystem

Pay Range

• Salary range: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00
• 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.
• Offer compensation also includes the ability to purchase company stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

• 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