Director of Information Security

AI overview

Lead a skilled team in designing next-generation information security infrastructure while ensuring compliance with strict regulations for cutting-edge space technology.

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 

As the Director of Information Security, you will be responsible for managing Varda’s information systems, processes, and controls to ensure all data is always secure.  You will manage a highly skilled team of folks with expertise in information technology, enterprise applications, information security, and spacecraft mission operations.  You will be responsible, either directly or through your team, for an array of critical functions including overseeing critical infosec infrastructure, managing sophisticated security services, and designing and managing highly availability networks and applications.  You and your team will also be asked to provide a security and technology strategy for the company with the help of the engineering teams, spacecraft operations teams, and the vehicle production organization.

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


Responsibilities

  • Recruit, retain and empower a diverse team of engineers to design and build next-generation information security infrastructure for the Varda corporation and the Winnebago spacecraft
  • Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades to open-ended problems
  • Implement/maintain solutions and configurations to achieve compliance with government regulations like NIST 800-171, CMMC 2.0, and ITAR/EAR
  • Provide day to day support and administration for our portfolio of enterprise software applications for data handling
  • Partner with Engineering, Business Development, and Mission Operations teams to develop mission critical hardware, software, and networking support for space missions
  • Build highly-resilient, high-performance, scalable, and flexible systems
  • Manage firewall configurations within the Varda’s networks based on operational requirements
  • Automate our security infrastructure to the maximum extent possible
  • Drive scripting and automation to develop solutions to common problems and software integrations
  • Collaborate with SOC analysts and other teams to enhance detection and response capabilities
  • Prepare schedules and supporting documentation related to information security audit requirements, and interact with external auditors as required
  • Handle special projects, taking full responsibility for the successful and timely completion of the project
  • Support monitoring of security systems, networks, and applications for suspicious activities


Preferred Skills And Qualifications

  • 15+ years in the infosec industry with demonstrated leadership experience as a team manager or a comparable role within the startup ecosystem
  • Technical certifications such as OSCP, eCPPT, or platform specific certifications
  • Understanding of cyber deception
  • Understanding of compliance requirements and certifications like NIST 800-171, CMMC 2.0, DFARS 252.204-7012, ITAR/EAR
  • Experience leading multiple production deployment and test programs with varied timelines
  • Demonstrated experience building and growing lean teams in a fast-paced environment
  • Demonstrated strengths in organizational, attention-to-detail, follow-through, reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills


Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, physics, information systems, or similar technical discipline and 5+ years of systems engineering experience, or 8+ years of systems engineering experience in lieu of a degree
  • Direct experience as a people manager
  • 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
  • Experience with Python or other scripting and automation languages.
  • U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. to conform with U.S Government space technology export regulations under ITAR 


Compensation

 • Department Head: $175,000 - $223,600 /per year
 • 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

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

Read more                                                                             Read more

 

 

Perks & Benefits Extracted with AI

  • Equity Compensation: Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth
  • Free Meals & Snacks: Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
  • Health Insurance: Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
  • Other Benefit: 401(k) matching
  • Paid Parental Leave: Maternity / Paternity leave
  • Paid Time Off: Unlimited PTO

We make revolutionary products that are impossible to make on Earth due to gravity. Our spacecraft act as platforms to improve life on Earth.

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Salary
$175,000 – $223,600 per year
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