Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Propulsion)

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 in‑house and include pharmaceutical processing payloads, reentry capsules, C‑PICA heat shields, and satellite buses. From life‑saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there are a world of products that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating 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 from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies, and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with backing from Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. The company is headquartered in El Siguiente, California, with offices also in Washington, DC, and Huntsville, AL. Join Varda to help build a bustling in‑space ecosystem.

About This Role

As the Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer at Varda, you will utilize your experience to scale manufacturing from a few bespoke vehicles to many consistent, concurrent builds. This role supports propulsion system production, including valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration. You will own manufacturing processes for high‑pressure fluid systems and propulsion hardware, working directly with design engineers and technicians across the full range of processes required to manufacture our vehicles, and focus on implementing incremental improvement for every vehicle Varda produces.

Responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end manufacturing processes for propulsion system production: valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration
• Develop and maintain work instructions, process traveler documents, and process specifications for high‑pressure fluid systems and propulsion hardware
• Provide technical direction to improve propulsion build processes and drive increased vehicle production cadence
• Implement and enforce propulsion‑specific cleanliness protocols, contamination control procedures, and propellant compatibility requirements
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions (RCCA) for propulsion non‑conformances, including leak events, contamination findings, and assembly defects
• Define tooling and test equipment requirements for tube shop operations, leak checks, and propulsion acceptance testing
• Collaborate with design engineers and supply chain to prevent schedule delays and resolve incoming hardware quality issues
• Refine propulsion work cell layouts and product flow to support cadence increase and concurrent vehicle builds

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 3–6+ years)
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience with propulsion systems, fluid systems, or high‑pressure hardware in aerospace or a related industry
• Hands‑on experience with tube fabrication, tube bending, tube fitting installation, and high‑pressure fluid system assembly
• Familiarity with propulsion system cleanliness requirements, cleanliness verification methods, and contamination control procedures
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, P&IDs, and assembly models for fluid systems
• Strong first‑principles problem‑solving capability; able to diagnose propulsion build defects and drive corrective action to closure
• Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with flight hardware

Preferred Skills And Experience

• M.S. degree in Mechanical engineering specialized in Fluid Mechanics, Process Engineering, or related discipline
• Experience manufacturing and assembling propulsion systems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or hypersonic vehicles, including valve assembly and pressure vessel integration
• Experience with high‑pressure fluid systems testing, or qualification of assemblies including energetics and explosives
• Experience with materials including metals, composites, and plastics for use in propulsion systems
• Experience with manufacturing methods relevant to propulsion systems, including welding, orbital welding, machining, and additive manufacturing
• Experience with NDE, including ultrasonic testing, dye penetrant, X‑ray and others
• Prior work transitioning propulsion assemblies from development to production environments with increasing build rate
• Familiarity with hazardous materials handling and safety protocols associated with propellant loading and propulsion acceptance testing

Pay Range

• Salary Range: Senior: $140,333–$179,314 per year
• 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

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 per 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 per 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

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. Because our employees are provided access to export‑controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. “U.S. 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).

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.