Senior Systems-Network Engineer

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 offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL (coming soon).

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

About This Role 

At Varda Space Industries, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space and materials science — and we’re looking for bold engineers to help us get there. As a senior System/Network Engineer, you'll be critical in building, scaling, and maintaining the infrastructure that powers our systems on Earth, in orbit and everything in between. 

This is a full-time, onsite role where you’ll wear multiple hats from IT operations, Network and System engineering to support our mission operations.  You’ll move fast, think creatively, and have a tremendous impact on mission-critical systems both on Earth and in space. 

We are seeking an experienced Senior System/Network Engineer to join our team, specializing in IT infrastructure, networking, system administration and integration within a Government Community Cloud High (GCCH) environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in designing, implementing, and maintaining secure IT systems and networks. This role requires a blend of technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, and the ability to ensure compliance with government security standards. 

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Design, configure, and maintain enterprise-level network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and VPNs. 

• Implement and maintain network security protocols, including intrusion detection systems and access controls, in compliance with GCCH requirements. 

• System Administration: Manage and maintain Windows/Linux servers. Perform regular maintenance, upgrades, and patches.  

• Support mission launches and re-entries 

• Rotate through the team’s on-call schedule to keep critical systems healthy and responsive. 
• Occasionally travel to customer sites and other Varda locations to troubleshoot, deploy, or test critical infrastructure. 

On-Call Rotation  

 Rotate through the team’s on-call schedule to keep critical systems healthy and responsive. 

Qualifications 

• 8+ years of experience in IT infrastructure or systems engineering, with increasing levels of responsibility 

• 5+ years of experience in network technologies (TCP/IP, VLANs, VPNs, DNS, DHCP, routing/switching, firewalls). 

• Extensive technical knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems, virtualization technologies, and network configurations. 

• Strong background with Linux systems (shells, daemons, processes) and programming skills in Python/PowerShell 

• Excellent troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills. 

• Understanding of ITIL best practices 
   

Preferred Qualifications 

• 3+ years of experience with infrastructure as code / configuration management is a plus 

• Experience building out network across physical and cloud locations 

• Proven experience implementing and enforcing security and compliance controls aligned with CMMC, NIST 800-171, and FedRAMP requirements. 

• Microsoft, CompTIA, or Cisco certifications (e.g., Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert, MS-500, Security+, CCNP). 

Additional Requirements 

Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs. for duties such as delivering computers, unpacking and rack-mounting equipment, etc. 

Pay Range

• Senior Site Reliability Engineer: 133,000.00 - $170,00.00/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

• 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