About the role
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 heatshields, 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
Our pharmaceutical team is looking for a highly motivated Senior Scientist to lead protein formulation development programs within our Biologics Formulation team. This role offers the opportunity to pioneer innovative formulation strategies for high concentration biologics and advanced systems while building capabilities in a dynamic startup environment.
As a Senior Scientist, you will lead the design and execution of complex formulation development programs, applying deep expertise in protein chemistry and physical biochemistry to solve challenging formulation problems. You will drive strategic decisions in formulation design, mentor junior scientists, and establish best practices for formulation development in a fast-paced startup setting.
Responsibilities
Strategic Formulation Development
- Lead formulation development programs for high concentration protein therapeutics across dosage forms
- Design and execute formulation strategies based on first-principles understanding of protein chemistry, including solution behavior, protein-protein interactions, and colloidal stability
- Develop advanced formulation platforms
- Apply thermodynamic and kinetic principles to predict and optimize formulation behavior
- Identify and mitigate formulation-related risks including aggregation, precipitation, viscosity, chemical degradation
- Identify Critical Quality Attributes
Technical Leadership & Innovation
- Serve as technical lead on multiple concurrent formulation projects from early-stage through late-stage development
- Design experimental strategies and interpret complex datasets to drive formulation decisions
- Establish formulation development workflows, analytical strategies, and acceptance criteria
- Evaluate and implement novel formulation technologies and approaches
- Interface with cross-functional teams including analytical development, engineering, and external partners
Team Development & Data Excellence
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior scientists
- Establish robust data management practices and quality standards
- Maintain exemplary ELN documentation and ensure data integrity across the team
- Author technical reports, regulatory submissions, and scientific publications
- Deliver high-quality results within aggressive startup timelines while maintaining scientific rigor
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomaterials, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or related discipline
- 3+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience in early-stage or late-stage protein formulation development
Proven track record of leading formulation development projects from concept through execution - Deep expertise in protein chemistry, physical biochemistry, and formulation science
- Extensive hands-on experience with analytical techniques for protein characterization (e.g., DLS, DSF, SEC, CE, rheology, spectroscopy)
- Experience developing high-concentration protein formulations and mitigating concentration-limiting factors
- Strong foundation in thermodynamics, solution chemistry, and colloidal science as applied to protein systems
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities
- Excellent organizational skills with meticulous attention to data management and ELN practices Strong scientific writing and presentation skills
Preferred Skills And Experience
- Experience with protein crystallization, for drug delivery
- Knowledge of advanced formulation systems
- Experience with lyophilization, spray drying, or other solid-state processing unit operations
- Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis approaches
- Experience with high-throughput formulation screening and automation
- Track record of scientific publications or patent applications
- Experience in startup or resource-constrained R&D environments
- Background in monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, or other complex biologics
What We Offer
- Opportunity to pioneer formulation development for space-based biomanufacturing
- Technical leadership role with significant scientific autonomy
- Collaborative environment working alongside world-class scientists and engineers
- Opportunity to shape the scientific direction of a growing company
Pay Range
- Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $180,000.00/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 long-term 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
- Dog-friendly office space 🐕
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
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.
