Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant

El Segundo, California, United States

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 the Role

We are seeking a highly organized, service-oriented, and proactive Executive Administrative Assistant to support our Manager of Administration & Executive Projects and Executive Leadership Team, with a primary focus on our Pharma, Business Development, and Gov Affairs executives. This role would primarily support the team from the 888 N Douglas campus with some crossover at 225 S Aviation Blvd. This role combines executive-level administrative support with creating a welcoming and professional office experience for visitors, candidates, and team members.

You'll manage calendars, travel, and meetings, coordinate onsite meetings, assist in planning company events, and help keep the office running smoothly. Success in this role requires a self-starter mindset, comfort operating in a fast-paced startup and tech-driven environment, and a strong focus on customer service and hospitality. This is an ideal position for someone who enjoys a mix of front-facing hospitality and behind-the-scenes organization, thrives in dynamic environments, and takes pride in delivering exceptional support.

Reports to: Manager of Administration & Executive Projects

Location: El Segundo, CA

Key Responsibilities

Executive & Administrative Support

• Provide administrative support to the Pharma, BD, and Gov Affairs leadership teams, including calendar management and prioritization, high-profile meeting coordination, and travel arrangements
• Assist in preparing agendas, presentations, and follow-up materials for executive meetings and conferences
• Track and manage expense reports for assigned executives
• Provide backup support to the Manager of Administration & Executive Projects as needed

Reception & Office Operations

• Greet and welcome visitors, clients, and candidates with professionalism and warmth
• Answer and direct incoming emails and requests
• Assist in planning and executing company events, meetings, and celebrations
• Help with office supply and swag ordering, vendor coordination, and service requests
• Coordinate logistics as needed for high profile candidate onsite interviews and/or special guests including scheduling, travel, catering, and office tours

General Support

• Collaborate with internal teams on special projects and ad-hoc administrative tasks
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion

Qualifications

• Self-starter with the ability to anticipate needs and work independently
• Experience in startups and/or fast-paced tech environments preferred - aerospace experience a plus
• 3+ years of administrative or executive assistant experience
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Professional presence with strong interpersonal skills
• Experience in a high-touch, employee-facing or customer serviceoriented role (e.g., hospitality, service industry, client services) a plus
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and comfortable learning new tools
• Discreet and able to handle confidential information with integrity

Success in this Role Looks Like

• The executives' schedules, travel, and meetings run seamlessly
• Visitors, candidates, and team members feel welcomed and supported
• Office events are executed smoothly with attention to detail

Pay Range

• Salary range: $92,820 - $125,580/per year
• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
• 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

Benefits

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

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