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 heatshields, 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
As a Supply Chain Manager (also known as Buyer/Planner/Commodity Manager/Sourcing Manager), you will play a critical role in ensuring the seamless planning and procurement of high-quality space systems components. In this fast-paced, dynamic environment, you'll work closely with engineering, production, and quality teams to source, evaluate, and manage suppliers of specified commodities used in spacecraft assembly, propulsion systems, and other space hardware.
You will be responsible for managing the end-to-end planning and procurement process—from identifying quantities, potential suppliers, negotiating contracts, and ensuring on-time deliveries. As Varda continues to innovate and expand, your ability to source parts that adhere to strict performance and reliability criteria will directly contribute to the success of our mission to bring space-based manufacturing into the next era.
Responsibilities
- Send RFQs, place POs, run open order report meetings with key suppliers.
- Develop understanding of supplier capacity, lead times, and cost trends
- Work closely with supply chain engineering to develop a preferred supplier network to minimize cost and lead time
- Work closely with design engineering teams to understand upcoming design releases and part changes
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and negotiate pricing and lead times to meet mission milestones
- Identify part supply constraints that may impact production schedule and create mitigation plans
- Maintain part and planning master data to accurately reflect lead-times and stock levels
- Support purchasing of various commodities and inventory operations as needed
Basic Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in supply chain management
- Bachelor’s degree in the field of Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or Finance
- Experience translating engineering designs into demand and supply plans
- Extensive experience using MES/ERP software
- Highly effective relationship building skills, and the ability to interact and work effectively with many levels of employees and suppliers
- Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of one or more of the following commodities: plastics machining, mechanisms, or propulsion
- Highly adept understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines including mills, lathes, waterjet, laser cutters, sheet metal fabrication, etc
Pay Range
- Salary range: $125,000 - $169,000/per year
- Leveling and base salary is 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
- This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):
Health & Wellness
- Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
- Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
- 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
- Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Financial & Retirement
- Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
- 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
- Dog-friendly office space 🐕
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).
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
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Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
Varda Space Industries El Segundo, California, USA Office
225 S Aviation Blvd., El Segundo, CA, United States, 90405
Varda Space Industries El Segundo, California, USA Office
225 S Aviation blvd, El Segundo, California, United States, 90045
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