Laboratory Operations Technician

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 Varda Space Industries is seeking a motivated Lab Operations Technician to support day-to-day laboratory operations. This role is critical to maintaining a clean, organized, and well-stocked lab environment, enabling scientists to work efficiently. The Lab Technician will report to the Lab Operations Manager. This is a 6 month temp position. Key Responsibilities Lab Maintenance and Support Perform glassware cleaning, drying, and autoclaving according to established protocols Perform routine decontamination of workspaces used for high-potency compound handling, including: Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) Ventilated Balance Enclosures (VBEs) Fume Hoods Dispose of hazardous and contaminated waste in accordance with safety guidelines Maintain general lab cleanliness, including benches, shared equipment, and common areas Inventory and Replenishment Monitor inventory levels and proactively replenish lab supplies across lab areas Place routine orders for lab supplies and consumables, or coordinate lab operations as needed Receive, unpack, and properly store incoming materials and chemicals Equipment and Routine Tasks Perform basic troubleshooting of lab equipment and infrastructure and escalate issues when appropriate Perform routine upkeep tasks such as freezer defrosting and gas handling Assist with simple setup tasks for experiments as needed Prepare buffers, media, and common reagents according to established protocols Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or related field 1-3 years of experience in pharmaceutical or academic research laboratory settings Experienced with troubleshooting and maintenance of complex analytical instruments Familiarity with basic lab techniques and safety practices, including handling and disposal of chemical waste Ability to follow SOPs and maintain accurate records Strong organizational skills and attention to detail Effective written and verbal communication skills Comfortable performing repetitive tasks with consistency and care Ability to lift/move boxes (up to 50 pounds) Preferred Skills and Experience Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or related field 3-5 years of experience in a pharmaceutical research laboratory settings Hands-on experience troubleshooting and maintaining analytical instrumentation, including chromatography and mass spec, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, automation, microscopy, and crystallization  (U/HPLC, CE, DLS, DSF, CD, FTIR, ELISA, MS, DSC, TGA, XRPD, Laser Diffraction) Previous experience working in GLP-compliant environments Pay Range Pay Range: $28.00 - $40.00/per hour This role is on-site   in El Segundo, CA Leveling and base pay is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance #LI-AD1 Benefits Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):   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 Dog-friendly office space 🐕   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, o