The environment of space hold the potential to craft products that profoundly enhance life on Earth. Varda is at the forefront of this endeavor, harnessing the unique environment of low earth orbit to produce these innovations and reintroduce them to our world. Our mission transcends mere exploration; we're expanding the economic horizons of humanity.

At Varda, you'll be positioned at the nexus of ambition and expertise. Our seasoned team, with its rich legacy in aerospace and technology, has honed its skills in the corridors of industry giants. Here, your contributions will be both cherished and critiqued by leaders who, with a wealth of experience behind them, are now devoted to the realm of extraterrestrial manufacturing.

While our aspirations soar high, our path is grounded in technical pragmatism and operational viability. Our conceptual operations are crystalline material processing and reentry, backed by years of research and development anchored in the International Space Station's, and commercial space sectors expansive achievements.

Join Varda, and work to finally create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

As the VP of Finance, you will be responsible for managing Varda’s finance systems, processes, and controls. You will manage a highly skilled team of folks with expertise in finance, accounting, and software applications. You will be responsible, either directly or through your team, for all cash management, investments, insurance, financial reporting, and financial projections. You will also be asked to provide all products of a comprehensive financial strategy for the company with the help of the engineering teams, sales team, and the vehicle production organization, and present these products to investors with the expectation of multiple successful rounds of late-stage venture financing for years to come.

This is a full-time, exempt position located in our El Segundo headquarters.

Responsibilities

Lead programmatic aspects of budget proposals, financial modeling, financial and accounting software automations, month-end-close, and financial audits
Provide day to day support and administration for our portfolio of financial systems
Manage the Finance and Accounting teams to define business processes and identify and implement areas of improvements/automation
Lead forecast of key performance indicators (KPIs), including spending and resource requirements for Varda’s pharmaceutical and government product lines, including headcount, capital, and operating expenses
Maintain and develop financial models for an annual operating plan, budgeting, and forecast optimization modeling
Participate in the accounting close process to ensure timely and accurate reporting of all monthly accounting financial information
Support proposal and sales activities
Analyze and interpret financial data for use in reviews and decisions
Establish and develop relationships with banking and payment partners
Implement best practices and controls across all treasury and accounting functions
Prepare schedules and supporting documentation related to external audit requirements, and interact with external auditors as required

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or engineering
10+ years of professional experience in accounting, finance operations, business, or economics
Ability to receive Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance
Strong written and verbal communication
Independently motivated with a demonstrated track record of delivering complex technical projects
Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, applied business statistics, and general modeling experience of complex non-linear system
S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. to conform with U.S Government space technology export regulations under ITAR
Experience with US GAAP accounting standards

Preferred Skills and Experience

10+ years in the finance industry with demonstrated leadership experience as a CFO or in a comparable executive role within the startup ecosystem
CPA license (or equivalent)
Big 4 accounting firm, private equity, and/or late-stage venture experience
Experience with MS Dynamics 365 or other ERP accounting systems
Demonstrated experience building and growing lean teams in a fast-paced environment
Experience in fundraising and financial structuring within the startup environment
Demonstrated strengths in organizational, attention-to-detail, follow-through, reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Experience analyzing pharma API and/or DoD contract asset classes

Pay Range

VP of Finance: $180,000.00 - $255,000.00/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
Offer compensation also includes the ability to purchase company stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

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 to working by your side
Working in El Segundo, CA - an awesome Southern California beach city with quick access to entertainment and outdoor activities
Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth
401(k) matching
Unlimited PTO
Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
Maternity / Paternity leave

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