Mission Operations Engineer

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, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C‑PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses. From life‑saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fibre optics, Varda is creating the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind. What You Will Do (Job Responsibilities) Develop, coordinate, execute, and lead Varda's on‑orbit missions. Own the full ops development cycle for mission‑unique payloads, from the creation of mission profiles through execution. Work with teams across the company to continuously improve mission operations and ensure mission success. Automate and eliminate operational burden by building web tools. Scale up Varda's operational capabilities to support a growing flight cadence. What You Will Bring (Basic Qualifications) Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, preferably Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Science. 2+ years of experience in a real‑time operations role on a complex, high‑consequence operation. 1+ year of experience developing software tools in Python, JavaScript, and/or HTML. Familiarity with Avionics, GNC, Software, and Thermal design practices for spacecraft. What Would Be a Plus (Preferred Qualifications) 3+ years of experience with spacecraft systems. Previous operator experience in a leadership role. Previous in‑orbit spacecraft operations experience. Previous experience with Git and Atlassian products. Familiarity with ground‑station networks. How Varda Compensates Salary range: $120,000 – $170,000 annually. Location: On‑site in El Segundo, CA. Leveling and base salary determined by skills, education, experience, and performance. Compensation also includes stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan. Benefits Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Health & Wellness Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays. 100% company‑paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for employees and dependents; includes 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 twice weekly. Company and team‑bonding events, happy hours and mission‑success celebrations. Complimentary EV charging. ITAR and Export Controls Varda requires employees to be lawful U.S. persons who can access export‑controlled items without a license. “U.S. person” means U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual per U.S. law. E-Verify and Right‑to‑Work Varda participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E‑Verify program. We collect and confirm work eligibility for all employees. Equal Opportunity Employer Varda Space Industries, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are evaluated 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Varda Space Industries