People Director

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end administration of Varda’s equity programs, including cap table management and employee education.
• Partner with Finance and Legal on equity planning, board-related processes, and audits.
• Drive automation and process improvements for People systems and infrastructure to ensure scalability.
• Act as a strategic People partner for assigned business units, supporting organizational design and workforce planning.
• Coach managers on performance management, employee relations, and team development.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations, with a focus on California law.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive experience in People Operations, HRIS, or as an HR Business Partner leader.
• Proven experience in high-growth tech start-up environments.
• Direct experience administering equity programs in a fast-growth setting.
• Strong understanding of California employment practices and compliance requirements.
• Ability to balance strategic partnership with senior leadership and hands-on operational execution.
• Strong operational and systems mindset with high attention to detail.

Benefits

• Equity in a fully funded space startup with significant growth potential.
• 401(k) matching.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including Vision and Dental.
• On-site lunch and snacks daily, with dinners provided twice a week.
• Maternity and Paternity leave.

About the Company

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind by creating the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, our team includes veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and major pharmaceutical companies.