EHS Specialist

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 Space

X, 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.

Varda’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) team plays a crucial role in ensuring the seamless operation of sophisticated spacecraft engineering and production facilities along with world-class pharmaceutical labs. As an EHS Specialist, you will hold significant responsibility for the day-to-day systems, processes and resources that safeguard our engineers, scientists and many other team members working to revolutionize the commercial space economy.

This role offers the unique opportunity to work with a variety of complex chemical and physical systems, ranging from chemical propulsion to pharmaceuticals to spacecraft development, at an exciting and fast-paced startup.

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

• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulatory standards (e.g., Cal/OSHA, Cal/EPA, SCAQMD, DOT, CA Fire Code), including recordkeeping and reporting requirements
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., NIOSH, ANSI, NFPA), where applicable
• Conduct root cause corrective action (RCCA) investigations as needed, working closely with leadership to implement any corrective actions to mitigate EHS risks
• Oversee accumulation and disposal of hazardous waste, including routine inspections
• Ensure safe handling and processing of pharmaceuticals through laboratory and equipment design, and development and implementation of safety procedures/systems
• Ensure safe handling of chemicals and hazardous materials through Hazard Communication (Haz Com) program elements (e.g., SDS management, container labeling) and control measures (e.g., PPE)
• Develop, administer, and manage EHS training materials and requirements/assignments
• Coordinate emergency response procedures, develop/maintain site emergency action plan, and organize emergency drills and related training (e.g., first aid/CPR/AED)
• Support regular maintenance and inspection of safety systems and equipment (e.g., emergency eyewashes/showers, fire extinguishers, fire alarm and suppression systems)
• Develop and implement a periodic workplace inspection program to proactively identify EHS risks
• Support contractor safety program to ensure planned work procedures include adequate safety controls
• Develop, improve and maintain EHS software & management system

• 2+ years of relevant EHS experience in an aerospace, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing environment
• Bachelor's degree in occupational safety & health, environmental engineering/safety, physical sciences, or related field
• Knowledge of California environmental (e.g., Cal/EPA, DTSC, SCAQMD) and health/safety (e.g., Cal/OSHA) standards
• Ability to make decisions and recommendations about complex EHS situations and topics when the solution is not clear
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and…