Senior Technical Recruiter at Varda Space Industries

El Segundo, California, United StatesFull-timeHR & RecruitingPosted about 2 months ago

About the Role

<div class="content-intro"><h2><span data-contrast="none">About Varda</span></h2> <p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Low Earth orbit is open for business</span></strong><span data-contrast="none">. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">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.</span></p> <p>Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.</p></div><h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">About This Role</h2> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Varda is building the world's first space-based manufacturing platform, and we need an exceptional Senior Technical Recruiter to scale our engineering teams. Reporting to a Recruiting Manager, you will own end-to-end recruiting across key hardware and engineering disciplines: autonomous systems, propulsion, thermal, mechanical engineering, and structures. This is a strategic operator role — you'll build hiring strategies, execute full-cycle search processes, close senior-level talent, and serve as a trusted advisor to engineering leadership as we scale from startup to production.</p> <h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">What You'll Own</h2> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Strategic Leadership</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Design and execute recruiting strategies for engineering hiring across autonomous systems, propulsion, thermal, mechanical engineering, and structures</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Partner with engineering leadership to forecast hiring needs, set technical bars, and build world-class teams</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Build and optimize end-to-end hiring processes that balance speed, quality, and candidate experience</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Serve as the internal expert on engineering talent markets, compensation trends, and competitive intelligence</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Full-Cycle Execution</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Source, screen, and close engineering talent through multiple channels: active search, referrals, passive outreach, and technical communities</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><span data-teams="true">Manage 4-8 active searches simultaneously while maintaining exceptional candidate and hiring manager experience</span></li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Conduct technical recruiter screens to assess engineering fundamentals, systems thinking, and hardware integration experience</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Lead offer strategy and close negotiations</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Own candidate experience from first touch through onboarding</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Process & Systems</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Maintain recruiting infrastructure in Greenhouse (ATS)</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Partner with the Recruiting Operations Partner to continuously improve hiring processes and candidate assessment frameworks</li> </ul> <h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">What Success Looks Like</h2> <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Consistently deliver high-quality engineering hires on aggressive timelines</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Build strong partnerships with engineering hiring managers who trust your judgment and rely on your strategic counsel</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Create repeatable processes that scale as the team grows</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Maintain a strong technical bar while moving quickly in a competitive talent market</li> </ul> <h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">Requirements</h2> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Must-Haves</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">5+ years of full-cycle technical recruiting experience, with significant focus on hardware or engineering roles</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Proven experience recruiting engineers for hardware-centric companies (aerospace, robotics, automotive, medical devices, or similar deep tech)</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Track record sourcing and closing senior and staff-level engineering talent in competitive markets</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically (building hiring plans, advising leadership) and tactically (sourcing, screening, closing)</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Strong technical fluency — you can speak credibly with engineers about their work</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><span data-teams="true">Startup equity fluency — comfortable explaining equity structures, vesting schedules, and how to think about total compensation</span></li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience managing full recruiting cycles in fast-paced, high-growth startup environments</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Strongly Preferred</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">In-house recruiting experience at a hardware or deep tech startup (Series A through growth stage)</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience hiring across multiple engineering disciplines including autonomous systems, propulsion, thermal, mechanical, or structures</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Familiarity with aerospace, defense, or other regulated industries with ITAR/security requirements</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Background building talent pipelines and long-term sourcing strategies for hard-to-fill technical roles</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience developing recruiting metrics, dashboards, and data-driven hiring insights</li> </ul> <h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">Compensation & Location</h2> <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Base Salary: $120,000 – $160,000 - <span data-teams="true">This range reflects the potential levels at which we may hire for this role. Final compensation will depend on experience, skills, location,  scope of responsibility, as well as internal equity. </span></li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Equity Included</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Location: El Segundo, CA (onsite)</li> </ul><div class="content-conclusion"><div> <h2>ITAR Requirements</h2> </div> <ul> <li> <p>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. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than “U.S. Persons” as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. </p> <p>“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 in the U.S.)</p>  Learn more about the ITAR <a href="https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987">here</a>.  </li> </ul> <h2>Benefits</h2> <div> <ul> <li>Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side</li> <li>Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth <strong>(interns excluded)</strong></li> <li>401(k) matching<strong> (interns excluded)</strong></li> <li>Unlimited PTO <strong>(interns excluded)</strong></li> <li>Health insurance, including Vision and Dental</li> <li>Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week. </li> <li>Maternity / Paternity leave<strong> (interns excluded)</strong></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>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.</p> <p> </p> <h2><span data-contrast="none">E-Verify Statement</span></h2> <p><span data-contrast="none">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 <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.e-verify.gov%2Femployees%2Fe-verify-overview&data=05%7C01%7Ctyree%40varda.com%7C22201ef47a8142f3b0a708dbd0f6e47b%7C1b36161382e94a8784f78a213228882f%7C0%7C0%7C638333531041144158%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3toCq47V%2FiQtV%2B5rEKFG0tfg0yXkNTv4SuLE2Xy40Rk%3D&reserved=0" data-auth="Verified" data-linkindex="5">E-Verify</a> program.</span></p> <p>E-Verify Notice                                                               Right To Work Notice</p> <p><a>Read more</a>                                                                             <a>Read more</a></p> <p> </p> </div></div>

About the Role

About the Role

Related Roles

About the Role

Related Roles