Facilities 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 offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

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

About This Role

As Varda’s Facilities Manager, you will ensure the seamless operation of our current facilities and the expedient bring-up of our future sites.  You will be responsible, either directly through your team, for an array of critical functions for building systems and infrastructure, managing sophisticated spacecraft engineering and production facilities along with world-class pharmaceutical labs.  

Your leadership will drive the exceptional Varda experience for the engineers, scientists, and many other team members working to revolutionize the commercial space economy from our El Segundo headquarters and satellite offices around the country. This is a full-time, exempt position located at our El Segundo headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a skilled team responsible for executing preventative and corrective maintenance on building systems (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire suppression, industrial gas) and general assembly, installation, and breakdown of equipment across all facilities
• Proactively ensure all site operational support needs are met, in collaboration with IT, EHS, Hospitality, and other Varda teams
• Manage work ticketing system, ensuring adequate staffing and timely responses to incoming facilities requests
• Develop and administer an effective and regular preventative maintenance program for building systems and applicable equipment across all facilities
• Manage all site supplies, services and amenities, as well as associated contractors and vendors to ensure services provided adhere to contract terms and Varda’s quality and EHS standards
• Establish and implement a reliable on-call system to ensure 24/7 support for any facilities-related emergencies, critical operations or urgent troubleshooting/repairs
• Oversee and execute facility improvement and new construction projects within established schedule and budget parameters
• Define and manage construction project scope, budgets, proposals, contracts, schedules, invoices, documentation and resources, in coordination with internal and external stakeholders
• Facilitate expedient approvals from municipal and regulatory agencies for permitting and inspections
• Communicate regular project status, schedules and risks to Varda leadership and stakeholders

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in facilities engineering, project management or construction
• 2+ years of building and leading facilities or construction teams
• Knowledge of building systems (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) and/or construction processes
• Proficiency in project management (Smartsheet, Gantt charts) Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an architectural, engineering, construction equivalent discipline
• Experience with building and/or improving aerospace, manufacturing, cleanroom, and/or pharmaceutical or biotech lab environments
• Experience with managing budgets, proposals and contracts for vendors and contractors
• Ability to manage priorities and multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction
• Demonstrated strengths in organization, attention to detail, critical-thinking and problem-solving, follow-through, and cleanliness standards

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work all shifts and available for overtime and weekends, as needed
• Ability to lift up to 45 lbs. and push/pull up to 50 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to stand for long periods of time; climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position

Pay Range

• Salary range: $101,000 to $155,000
• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
• Leveling and salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance

• 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