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 (coming soon).

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

Varda is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer to join our Mission Assurance team, where you will establish our core systems development functions from the ground up. The Mission Assurance team partners with Varda’s design and manufacturing teams through the entire product development lifecycle for flight hardware, while supporting the FAA and range safety licensing processes. This includes identification of key design characteristics, development testing for manufacturability or reliability, detailed acceptance or qualification test planning, mission safety, and operations. In addition, Mission Assurance supports the development of flight safety analyses and verification artifacts for all phases of the mission. You will use your skills to ensure spacecraft reliability and mission success.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end mission assurance activities for aerospace systems, from early design through launch and mission operations.
Drive requirements decomposition, allocation, and traceability to ensure all mission, safety, and regulatory needs are met.
Own vehicle-level functional hazard analyses (FHA) and failure mode and effect analyses (FMEA).
Provide critical peer review of hardware during design reviews and acceptance and qualification test campaigns.
Responsible for vehicle-level deliverables to regulatory organizations, in the service of mission reentry licenses and authorizations.
Responsible for vehicle level risk management and determination of program risk posture and execution of effective mitigation strategies.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, systems engineering or related field.
Minimum 5 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience, with a previous role involving mission assurance, design or reliability engineering, or a senior systems engineering role.
Proven track record in requirements management, verification planning, and systems integration for aerospace or defense systems.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and present to executives/customers.
Strong experience with risk management methodologies and tools (FMEA, FTA, hazard analysis).
Experience with integration of interdisciplinary systems in the aerospace industry.
Familiarity with AS9100, NASA, DoD, or equivalent aerospace quality/assurance standards.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Master’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, systems engineering or related field.
Experience with safety-critical aerospace systems, including development and execution of flight hazard analyses and mitigation strategies in accordance with industry and regulatory standards.
Knowledge of quality tools such as measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem-solving approaches.
Dedicated to adopting a lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability.
Professional experience in a role requiring programming skills, including familiarity with MATLAB.

Pay Range

Salary range: $145,000 - $175,000
This role is on-site in 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

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