Senior Facilities Supervisor

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. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

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

The Senior Facilities Supervisor is a critical role at Varda that directly impacts the foundation of our operations. You will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operations and maintenance of two facilities — including a production and integration campus exceeding 200,000 square feet — that house the vehicles, equipment, and specialized environments enabling the future of in-space manufacturing.

This position ensures our facilities reflect Varda's values: precision, reliability, and mission-readiness. From keeping critical HVAC systems running in our cleanrooms to managing vendor performance and capital improvement projects, the Senior Facilities Supervisor sets the standard for how we care for the spaces that power our mission. The impact of this role is immense.

Responsibilities

Facilities Operations & Leadership

• Lead all facilities operations across two buildings (200,000+ sq ft combined), including janitorial, landscaping, HVAC, MEP systems, fire suppression, industrial gas, and general maintenance, ensuring zero unplanned interruptions to production and engineering operations
• Manage and develop a team of facilities technicians, electricians, and maintenance staff, including hiring, performance management, scheduling, and training
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for all facility-related issues across both sites; oversee on-call and after-hours emergency response protocols
• Maintain a visible presence across both facilities; conduct regular walkthroughs to identify safety hazards, maintenance needs, and opportunities for improvement

Maintenance Programs & Systems

• Administer and continuously improve a preventive and predictive maintenance program for all building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, cryogenic fluid and industrial gas systems, electrical infrastructure, and building automation systems (BAS/BMS)
• Manage and optimize a work ticketing system (CMMS) to ensure correct staff assignment, response time adherence, and accurate documentation of all maintenance activities
• Oversee routine inspections of interior and exterior building systems, roofing, flooring, installed fixtures, lighting, and safety equipment; ensure timely resolution and documentation
• Partner with EHS to maintain compliance with all OSHA, local, state, and federal building and safety codes; lead facilities-related safety training programs

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Source, negotiate, and manage third-party service providers for janitorial, landscaping, mechanical, electrical, security, pest control, and specialty trade services; hold vendors to contractual performance standards and SLAs
• Provide direct project management oversight of subcontractors executing facility improvement projects, tenant improvements, and capital builds
• Maintain competitive bidding processes to ensure cost efficiency while preserving service quality

Capital Projects & Strategic Planning

• Partner with Facilities leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to develop, plan, and execute site improvement and capital projects aligned with Varda's production growth roadmap
• Develop and manage the annual facilities operations budget; track spend, identify savings opportunities, and provide regular reporting to leadership
• Identify and propose infrastructure upgrades that support Varda's scaling operations, including cleanroom expansion, lab buildouts, and production floor modifications
• Manage space planning, office buildouts, moves, and reconfiguration projects in coordination with People and Engineering teams

Basic Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in commercial, industrial, or advanced manufacturing facilities management
• Proven track record managing multi-building portfolios, including at least one facility exceeding 150,000 sq ft
• Minimum 5 years in a supervisory or people management role overseeing multi-trade facilities teams
• Deep working knowledge of HVAC, MEP systems, fire suppression, industrial gas, electrical distribution, and building automation systems
• Experience administering and optimizing CMMS platforms (e.g., Fiix, UpKeep, IBM Maximo, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated experience managing vendor contracts, third-party service providers, and capital project subcontractors
• Strong knowledge of OSHA, NEC, and local/state building codes and permitting requirements
• S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by ITAR (8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or other precision/regulated facility environments
• Familiarity with cleanroom standards, cryogenic fluid handling, or industrial gas systems in a production setting
• CFM (Certified Facility Manager, IFMA), FMP, or PMP certification strongly preferred
• Experience in developing and managing multi-million-dollar facilities, operating, and capital budgets
• Strong proficiency in project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams)
• Experience reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, and engineering drawings
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-performing, cross-functional facilities teams in a fast-paced startup environment
• Familiarity with energy efficiency programs, sustainability initiatives, or LEED-related building operations

Pay Range

• Salary range: $120,000 - $155,000/per year
• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
• Leveling and base salary are determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

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. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our 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).