Director – Business Development

About This Role

Varda supports a wide range of customers from pharmaceutical companies creating new products in microgravity, to the Department of War offering our Hypersonic and Reentry testbed. We also invite private industry partners and research/academic institutions conducting advanced research and development in orbital and reentry test. As a Business Development Associate – Hypersonic and Reentry Test, you will be responsible for identifying, growing, qualifying, and capturing new business opportunities to leverage our hypersonic reentry test bed for cutting-edge research, component testing, thermal protection systems testing, and hypersonic product development.

You will develop and manage end-to-end solicitation processes—from initial outreach and proposal development through negotiation and contract closure. Working closely with our engineering, scientific and program teams, you will help shape experimental payload parameters, write white papers, and advocate for policy changes that integrate Varda’s novel architecture into the current DoW paradigms, flight qualification and maturity testing in high hypersonic environments. As part of the business development team, your efforts will directly accelerate the growth of the DoW Hypersonic Test community and ensure that Varda remains at the forefront of in-space innovation.

This is a full-time, exempt position located in Huntsville, AL, or Washington DC.

Responsibilities

• Identify and qualify prospective customers, including the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Defense industry hypersonic program managers, US Army, US Space Force, US Air Force, US Navy, Special Operations Command, Combatant Commands and commercial R&D entities, that seek space-borne hypersonic and reentry environments for advanced research and missile component maturation.

• Assist in organic growth through deeper market segment penetration with our current customers such the USAF, USSF and DoW.

• Take full ownership of select solicitations, managing the process from the initial approach and proposal development through contract negotiations and closure.

• Collaborate with technical and program management teams to translate customer requirements into feasible mission parameters, ensuring alignment with Varda’s capabilities and strategic objectives.

• Write white papers, policy briefs, and strategic recommendations to influence stakeholders, advocating for the integration of Varda’s reentry and orbital test solutions into existing in-space infrastructure and research paradigms.

• Contribute to comprehensive proposals that include technical scopes, pricing models, compliance documentation, and schedules, ensuring submissions meet customer and regulatory standards.

• Analyze DoW customer budget exhibits to understand program schedules, funding, milestones and procurement strategies.

• Develop relationships with key stakeholders—ranging from government customers and academia to private industry leads—and maintain a steady pipeline of opportunities.

• Represent Varda at conferences, networking events, and industry forums to increase market visibility and strengthen our brand within the commercial space, academia and DoW market segments.

• Monitor industry trends, regulatory shifts, and emerging technologies in the DoW space and hypersonic domains, keeping internal teams informed and adjusting strategies accordingly.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, engineering, science, or related field

• 5+ years of professional experience in DoW aerospace, research, or technology-driven industries

• Demonstrated interest in spaceflight, hypersonic research, and related R&D fields

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling white papers and policy recommendations

• Experience managing solicitations end-to-end, from initial contact through contract closure

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive stakeholder relationships

• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time (both domestic and international)

• Active TS/SCI or ability to fast track to one

• U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. to conform with U.S. Government space technology export regulations under ITAR

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Master’s degree in business management, strategic studies, or engineering

• Previous business development or sales experience in the Defense aerospace sector

• Familiarity with DoW Program/Budget process, proposal processes, international space agency frameworks, and academic research funding cycles

• Existing network within the DoW hypersonic or reentry test communities, government space agencies, or related commercial markets

• Experience in writing policy opinions and engaging in thought leadership activities within the aerospace ecosystem

Pay Range

• Salary range: $200,000.00 - $220,000.00/per year.

• This role is on-site in Huntsville, AL, or Washington DC.

• 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.