Technical Recruiter

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA 90245, US• Full Time

Posted 1 hour ago• People & HR• Product/Design

Compensation

$100,000–$130,000/year

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.

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

Varda is building the world's first space-based manufacturing platform, and we need a Technical Recruiter to help scale our engineering teams. Reporting to a Recruiting Manager, you will support full-cycle recruiting across hardware and engineering disciplines: autonomous systems, propulsion, thermal, mechanical engineering, and structures. This role is ideal for a recruiter who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment, can navigate ambiguity, and is ready to grow their career at the intersection of space and deep tech.

What You'll Own

Full-Cycle Execution

Source and screen engineering talent through multiple channels: active search, referrals, passive outreach, and technical communities
Manage multiple active searches simultaneously while maintaining a strong candidate and hiring manager experience
Conduct recruiter screens to assess technical fit, cultural alignment, and compensation expectations
Support offer processes in partnership with Recruiting Managers
Own candidate experience from first touch through onboarding

Process & Systems

Maintain accurate and up-to-date candidate records in Greenhouse (ATS)
Partner with recruiting coordinators to ensure smooth scheduling and interview logistics
Contribute to pipeline-building and sourcing strategy for hard-to-fill engineering roles

What Success Looks Like

Build strong, trust-based relationships with hiring managers and candidates alike
Deliver quality engineering candidates on consistent timelines
Demonstrate a growth mindset — learn quickly, iterate on process, and ask good questions
Develop technical fluency across Varda's core engineering disciplines

Requirements

Must-Haves

2+ years of full-cycle technical recruiting experience
Experience recruiting for hardware-centric or engineering-focused companies (aerospace, robotics, automotive, deep tech, or similar
Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple searches simultaneously
Genuine curiosity about the technical work your candidates do — you don't need to be an engineer, but you need to want to understand it
Experience working in fast-paced, high-growth startup environments

Strongly Preferred

In-house or embedded recruiting experience at a hardware or deep tech company
Startup equity fluency — comfortable explaining equity structures, vesting schedules, and how to think about total compensation
Exposure to engineering disciplines such as autonomous systems, propulsion, thermal, mechanical, or structures
Familiarity with ITAR requirements or regulated defense/aerospace industries
Experience using Greenhouse or a comparable ATS, and sourcing tools like Gem or LinkedIn Recruiter

Compensation & Location

Base Salary: $100,000 – $130,000 - 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.
Equity Included
Location: El Segundo, CA (onsite)

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. 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.

“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.)
Learn more about the ITAR here.

Benefits

Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
401(k) matching (interns excluded)
Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

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.

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