Varda Space
Director of Business Development & Capture - Advanced Concepts
$243K–$311K
El Segundo, California, United States +3 · Director · Full-time · Posted Oct 13, 2026
- Location
- El Segundo, California, United States
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
El Segundo, California, United States
Washington, District of Columbia, United States - Experience
- 12+ years overall, including at least 5 years in business development, capture, or program leadership.
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, business, or a related field.
- Visa sponsorship
- Must be a U.S. person permitted to access export-controlled technology without an export license; the posting also states U.S. citizenship is required to meet ITAR and clearance requirements.
About the job
Leads strategy, shaping, and capture of emerging national-security missions that adapt Varda’s commercial spacecraft and reentry capabilities for government customers.
What you'll do
- Own and prioritize the advanced-concepts government pursuit portfolio, from early customer engagement through award.
- Lead competitive capture, proposals, pricing, teaming, contract negotiations, and mission-concept development with technical teams.
- Build senior government and industry relationships, report pipeline and resource needs, and mentor business development and capture staff.
What they ask for
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, business, or a related field.
- Active TS/SCI clearance; candidates must currently hold it to be considered.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in national security, hypersonics, or defense aerospace, including at least 5 years in business development, capture, or program leadership.
- Demonstrated record of winning competitive government pursuits, including at least one new-start or non-program-of-record capture; U.S. citizenship and willingness to travel up to 50% are also stated requirements.
Nice to have
- Current SAP access, or SAP access within the past 24 months, with special-access program experience.
- Engineering background; experience introducing commercial capabilities to government missions; or startup/high-growth company experience.
Pay
USD 243,360 – 310,960 per year (base salary)
Tools
OTAs, CSOs, BAAs, FAR-based contracts, SBIR/STTR
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative