Executive Assistant

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 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 service–oriented 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

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

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

Benefits for Internship Positions:

Health & Wellness

Paid observed holidays.

100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.

$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.

Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.

Financial

$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.

Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible

Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.

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 asyl