Production Scheduler

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. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

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

The Production Scheduler develops, maintains, and communicates the production schedule that carries satellite hardware from subassembly manufacturing through vehicle integration, test, and delivery. This role partners with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management to make sure hardware, tooling, and documentation are ready when the build needs them. The Production Scheduler is a key voice in identifying schedule risk, resolving production conflicts, and keeping satellite builds aligned to program milestones and launch commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the detailed production schedule that carries satellite hardware from manufacturing through subassembly work, bus integration, and final test.
• Translate program milestones and delivery requirements into achievable daily and weekly production plans.
• Release work orders and track their progress through inspection, test, and hardware readiness.
• Work with Production leadership to establish build priorities and resolve production conflicts.
• Monitor production progress and update the schedule, flagging critical-path constraints and delays before they affect major program milestones.
• Develop recovery schedules when production falls behind, and communicate changes, risks, and recovery plans to all affected teams.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to confirm parts are available before scheduled work begins.
• Partner with Engineering to track drawing releases, work-instruction approvals, and configuration changes.
• Support daily scheduling meetings and weekly schedule reviews, and keep schedule data accurate in the company's ERP and MES systems.
• Track planned-versus-actual performance, maintain vehicle completion forecasts, and support Program Management with scenario planning and schedule-impact assessments.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three or more years of experience in production scheduling, planning, or manufacturing coordination within aerospace, defense, automotive, or another complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing workflows, production dependencies, and material readiness.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, bills of material, and engineering drawings.
• Experience using scheduling, ERP, MES, or project-management software.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively across a cross-functional team from technicians to program leadership.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and keep schedule information accurate in a fast-moving production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in operations management, supply chain, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience scheduling satellite, spacecraft, or launch-vehicle production.
• Advanced skills in scheduling and reporting tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Primavera P6, or Excel.
• Knowledge of critical-path scheduling, capacity planning, and earned-value principles.
• Familiarity with cleanroom operations and configuration-controlled hardware in a low-volume, high-mix production environment.

Pay Range

• Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000/per year
• This role is on-sitein 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 incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Benefits

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

Health & Wellness

• Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
• Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging
  

Intern Positions:

Health & Wellness

• Paid observed holidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
• Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging