Government Affairs Associate

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

As the Manager of Government Affairs, you will focus on Varda's engagement with Congress from our Washington, DC office. Reporting to the Vice President of Government Affairs and working alongside the Senior Director, you will build relationships with members and staff, tracking legislation and appropriations that affect commercial space, in-space manufacturing and defense programs, and carrying out the team's congressional priorities. You will also work closely with Varda's engineering, regulatory and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Execute the team's congressional strategy by managing day-to-day engagement with member offices and select committee staff.
• Track legislation, report language and funding lines affecting commercial space, reentry, in-space manufacturing and hypersonic test programs, including NDAA and annual appropriations bills, and report developments to the team.
• Draft briefing materials, one-pagers, talking points and meeting memos for Varda leadership and for Hill meetings.
• Help organize and staff site visits, hearings, briefings and member and staff engagements with Varda's team and facilities.
• Attend industry coalition and trade association meetings and represent Varda's positions as directed.
• Monitor the political and policy landscape and give the team clear, timely updates and recommendations.
• Help establish the DC office's operating processes in coordination with the Government Affairs team.
• Help develop and maintain Varda’s government affairs enterprise support tools for project management and execution.

Basic Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience in government affairs, legislative work or policy, including direct experience on Capitol Hill, in a congressional office or committee, or as an in-house or consulting government affairs professional.
• Working knowledge of the appropriations and authorization process, including the NDAA.
• Existing relationships with congressional staff and a track record of building new ones.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain technical topics to non-technical audiences.
• Sound judgment, discretion and the ability to work independently in a small, fast-moving team.
• Willingness to comply with the Lobbying Disclosure Act, House and Senate ethics rules and company policy.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with space, defense, aerospace or emerging technology policy.
• Prior service in a congressional member office or on a committee, ideally one with jurisdiction over commerce, science, armed services or appropriations.
• Experience with coalition or trade association work.
• Eligibility for a U.S. government security clearance.

Pay Range

• Salary range: $132,600 - $179,400/per year
• This role is on-site in Washington, DC
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for long-term 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).

E-Verify Statement

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.