Jobs at Varda Space Industries

Design, build, and maintain GSE and test systems for spacecraft hardware qualification. Integrate industrial hardware, develop PLC and EtherCAT tooling, evaluate real-time control architectures, build and wire cabinets, and partner across propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing to deliver reliable test infrastructure.

Develop and maintain high-reliability ground-segment services for telemetry ingestion, commanding, mission control UIs, simulation and test automation, CI/CD and infrastructure tooling, and robust deployment patterns across lab, test, and mission operations for spacecraft.

Hands-on internship supporting design, build, and testing of electrical ground support equipment and test setups for spacecraft and propulsion. Work includes wiring, harnesses, HITL racks, thermal vacuum chamber systems, hardware assembly, and software integration using Python.

Lead development, deployment, and management of engineering applications (PLM, CAD/PDM, MBSE). Re-engineer workflows, build internal apps and ETL pipelines, create Power BI/SQL/Python analytics, deploy AI/LLM tools, support AS9100/CMMC compliance, and drive training and adoption across engineering teams.

Lead design, build, and operate mission-critical infrastructure across cloud, on-prem, and spacecraft contexts. Implement IaC, CI/CD, observability, and scalable Kubernetes-based systems; respond to incidents, perform root cause analysis, optimize performance, and collaborate with software and hardware teams. Participate in on-call rotations and occasional travel.

Lead supplier quality for mechanical components by evaluating supplier capabilities, conducting audits, defining inspection and acceptance criteria, and driving corrective actions. Provide DFM input during new product introduction, participate in design reviews and qualification activities, and collaborate with supply chain, engineering, and production to improve supplier processes and ensure parts meet aerospace standards.

Lead vehicle-level systems integration, test, and operations from integration through launch and on-orbit operations. Define and execute I&T campaigns, make system trade-offs, manage schedules and change implementation, design harnesses and schematics, automate test/data-analysis (Python), and operate spacecraft to assess health and performance.

Design, build, and operate ground propulsion fluid systems for spacecraft: define architectures, author and run propellant loading and test procedures, develop P&IDs, support fabrication and operations, and collaborate with propulsion, systems, and operations teams to ensure flight-ready propellant handling and safety compliance.

Own end-to-end technical recruiting for hardware and engineering disciplines (autonomous systems, propulsion, thermal, mechanical, structures). Build hiring strategies, source and close senior talent, manage multiple searches, maintain Greenhouse ATS, advise engineering leadership, and improve hiring processes and candidate experience.

Lead mission safety and reentry compliance as primary architect for flight safety analysis and regulatory strategy for FAA Part 450 and range licensing. Own vehicle-level FHA/FMEA, expected casualty and debris risk models, technical safety limits, mission rules, and regulatory deliverables. Support live mission rehearsals and on-console recovery operations, ensuring verification artifacts, trajectory and dispersion analyses, and safety cases meet regulatory thresholds.

Lead and grow Varda's propulsion systems team, owning propulsion architecture, P&IDs, mechanical design, subsystem test, and ground and in‑orbit operations. Drive cross‑functional integration, define technical direction, execute major test campaigns, and ensure engineering standards across vehicle lifecycle.

Lead development, optimization, and validation of analytical methods for biologic and small-molecule drug substances and products (primarily LC-MS and biophysical techniques). Execute experiments, coordinate external testing, support project planning and timelines, train junior scientists, collaborate with formulation and engineering teams, and author methods, validation reports, and regulatory documents for product development and flight schedules.

Full-time, on-site Fall internship in Los Angeles for enrolled CS/CE students. Build data structures for finance KPIs, publish dashboards to automate reporting, review and enhance reporting systems, and apply ML and LLMs to drive automation and business insights.

Lead spacecraft final assembly by owning integration sequences, work instructions, and tooling requirements. Coordinate across structures, propulsion, avionics, and TPS to resolve interface issues, run readiness reviews, disposition non-conformances, track integration metrics, and improve build cadence while ensuring safety, cleanliness, and documented acceptance.

Lead and grow a systems integration and test team to develop vehicle integration and test campaigns, manage technical milestones and schedules, evaluate and implement vehicle changes, and remain hands-on during integration and test to ensure flight readiness and increasing flight cadence.

Develop and maintain aerodynamic and aeroheating databases across the full flight envelope. Run high-fidelity CFD/DSMC simulations, support wind-tunnel campaigns, produce 6DOF inputs and flight rules, lead post-flight reconstructions, and collaborate with GNC, TPS, structures, and mission teams to deliver flight-ready aeroscience products.

Serve as technical authority for ground fluid systems: design, build, test, and operate propellant handling infrastructure; lead loading campaigns, write standards and procedures, mentor engineers, and resolve complex propulsion issues across sites.

Own vehicle integration and test campaigns to validate flight readiness. Create and execute build/test procedures and schedules, manage system budgets, drive change implementation, own avionics/harness design, and operate vehicles in space while coordinating across engineering teams.

Work on GNC design, analysis, and simulation for reentry vehicles. Implement and test guidance, navigation, and control algorithms, integrate sensors/actuators, perform trajectory design/optimization and Monte Carlo dispersion analysis, and develop simulation and mission-planning tooling.

Manage end-to-end supply chain for space hardware: source suppliers, send RFQs, place POs, maintain planning master data, negotiate pricing and lead times, identify supply constraints and mitigation plans, and coordinate with engineering, production, and quality teams to meet mission milestones.