About Varda
The environment of space hold the potential to craft products that profoundly enhance life on Earth. Varda is at the forefront of this endeavor, harnessing the unique environment of low earth orbit to produce these innovations and reintroduce them to our world. Our mission transcends mere exploration; we're expanding the economic horizons of humanity.
At Varda, you'll be positioned at the nexus of ambition and expertise. Our seasoned team, with its rich legacy in aerospace and technology, has honed its skills in the corridors of industry giants. Here, your contributions will be both cherished and critiqued by leaders who, with a wealth of experience behind them, are now devoted to the realm of extraterrestrial manufacturing.
While our aspirations soar high, our path is grounded in technical pragmatism and operational viability. Our conceptual operations are crystalline material processing and reentry, backed by years of research and development anchored in the International Space Station's, and commercial space sectors expansive achievements.
Join Varda, and work to finally create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About this Role
As a Senior Payload Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for the overall successful execution of flight payload projects from cradle to grave. In this dynamic position, you will lead both as a systems engineer and technical project manager throughout the entire payload project lifecycle. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team across avionics, software, mechanical, integration, and test as the owner of overall payload requirements from definition to verification and validation. As the project matures, you will be responsible for both critical technical decisions and ensuring the overall payload engineering team delivers.
In addition to project leadership, this role will require you to act as the primary technical point of contact. Whether dealing with external or internal customers on government or commercial projects, you will act as a customer advocate through technical leadership to ensure that Varda's platforms and payloads meet customer needs while minimizing program risk and complexity.
Responsibilities
- Drive technical and schedule execution for one or more payload projects, including definition of success criteria and determination of key objectives or milestones for the entire design, build, and fly cycle
- Define and manage payload subsystem scope and requirements from concept through flight, especially as those requirements or trades pertain to the interfaces between disciplines
- Own critical project technical and programmatic decisions to ensure payload project success
- Drive the project through development, test, verification, and validation by setting the test objectives and ensuring the project risk is at parity with the overall program risk
- Act as the primary technical interface and internal champion for the customer’s needs
- Technical leadership of a team of responsible engineers across multiple the payload subsystem technical disciplines
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field with 5+ years of professional experience in systems engineering or a related technical discipline
- Proven experience leading and managing complex technical programs, preferably within aerospace or related industries
- Strong first principles thinking and substantial technical breadth across relevant fields (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.)
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and direct customer engagement
- Demonstrated ability to make critical decisions and act as a tie-breaking authority in complex technical scenarios
- Ability to successfully respond to evolving requirements in a fast-moving organization
Preferred Skills And Experience
- Experience working directly with customers and managing customer relationships
- Technical depth in one or more of structures, mechanisms/mechatronics, fluid systems, and/or avionics
- Ability to obtain security clearance
- Experience with aerospace hardware development practices (e.g., qualification testing practices, design for typical space environments, cleanliness, etc.)
Pay Range
- Sr. Payload Systems Engineer: $135,000 - $185,000 per year
- On site role located in El Segundo, CA
ITAR Requirements
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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 to working by your side
- Working in El Segundo, CA - an awesome Southern California beach city with quick access to entertainment and outdoor activities
- Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth
- 401(k) matching
- Unlimited PTO
- Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
- Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
- Maternity / Paternity leave
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