Director of Business Development, Indo-Pacific Defense Strategy

Job description

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 Varda Varda Space Industries builds the infrastructure for manufacturing and operations in orbit. Our customers range from pharmaceutical companies creating breakthrough products in microgravity to the Department of Defense, which leverages our Hypersonic and Reentry Testbeds and Targets to validate missile defense systems for domestic and international partners. We provide Reentry Targets that test and validate missile defense systems for the U.S. and allied nations, and we invite private and international industry partners, research institutions, and allied nations conducting advanced R&D to leverage our orbital and suborbital target offerings. The Role As Director of Indo-Pacific Defense Strategy & Business Development, you will be the architect of Varda's presence across the Indo-Pacific theater — the first person in this seat, defining what it becomes. Based in Honolulu, you will serve as the primary interface between Varda and the commands, agencies, and allied nations within the USPACOM Area of Responsibility. This is a builder role. You will drive engagement from first conversation to signed contract — with PACFLT, USARPAC, PACAF, SPACEFOR-PACOM, and MARFORPAC on the domestic side, and with Japan, South Korea, Australia, and other Pacific Rim allies on the international side. Your work will be directly visible in the region's most consequential defense programs: the Guam Defense System (GDS), Golden Dome for America (GDA), and regional missile defense architectures that will define Pacific security for a generation. This is a full-time, exempt position located in Honolulu, HI. What You'll Do Command Engagement Serve as Varda's primary point of contact for Honolulu-based commands — USPACOM, PACFLT, USARPAC, PACAF, SPACEFOR-PACOM, and MARFORPAC. Align Varda's hypersonic reentry, space cargo delivery, and missile defense capabilities with theater-specific operational requirements. Ensure Varda is embedded in the theater's exercises, test ranges, and procurement cycles. Allied Nation Defense Sales Identify, qualify, and close new business with Pacific Rim allied nations — including Japan, South Korea, and Australia — for missile defense testing, validation, and advanced hypersonic research. Navigate the full international sales cycle from early engagement through ITAR/EAR compliance and contract close. Market Architecture Penetrate the broader Pacific targets market by engaging MDA, USSF, and international defense ministries to integrate Varda's reentry testbeds into regional exercises and test programs. Analyze DoD and partner budget documents to track program schedules, funding milestones, and procurement strategies. Proposal & Capture Leadership Working alongside our Director of Captures, lead domestic and international solicitations from white paper development through final proposal submission. Technical Advocacy Collaborate with Varda's engineering and mission management teams to translate INDOPACOM-specific requirements into solutions, ensuring our capabilities are accurately represented in theater-specific proposals and business development efforts. Stakeholder Relations Build and maintain a robust pipeline by cultivating relationships with U.S. government leads, international defense attachés, and Pacific-based private industry partners. Theater Visibility Represent Varda at key regional forums, including LANPAC, TechNet Indo-Pacific, and international defense symposiums across the Pacific Rim. Engage in policy conversations around hypersonic threats and missile defense architecture. Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, international relations, or a related field 5+ years of professional experience in DoD aerospace, defense technology, or international strategic development Must be based in or willing to relocate to Honolulu, HI Active TS/SCI clearance, or ability to be fast-tracked for one U.S. Citizenship required (ITAR compliance) Demonstrated ability to manage defense solicitations end-to-end, including international contract nuances Strong written and verbal communication skills, including white papers and strategic policy recommendations for senior military leadership Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time throughout the Pacific Rim and the continental U.S. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in Strategic Studies, International Security, or Business Management Deep understanding of the PACOM AOR, including the Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) Existing relationships within the Honolulu-based defense community, U.S. Embassy Country Teams (DAO/Attachés), and Pacific Rim defense ministries Proven track record closing Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) transactions with Pacific Rim partners Experience engaging in policy circles on hypersonic threats and missile defense architecture in the Pacific Compensation & Benefits Salary: $200,000 – $235,000 per year (Honolulu locality-adjusted) Eligible for long-term incentives, including stock options and cash awards Employee Stock Purchase Plan Location: On-site, Honolulu, HI 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 Read more Read more 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.