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 Space

X, 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.

Varda Space Industries is seeking an experienced Facilities Manager to drive the bring-up, operation, and maintenance of our rapidly growing facilities. This role will be responsible for ensuring the seamless function of building systems and infrastructure at our current facilities, as well as the expedient bring-up of our future sites.

• 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
• 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 third‑party 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 after‑hours support for any facilities‑related emergencies 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

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an architectural, engineering, or construction discipline
• 3+ years of professional experience in facilities engineering/management, project management or construction (5+ years in lieu of a degree)
• Knowledge of building systems (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) and/or construction processes
• Proficiency in project management (Smartsheet, Gantt charts) and communication of project status updates

• 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
• Ability to articulate technical and non‑technical material clearly to various personnel
• Strong attention to detail and cleanliness standards

• Ability to work all shifts and available for overtime and weekends, as needed
• Must be able to lift up to 45lbs. unassisted
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling,…