Mechanisms Engineer - Payloads

About VardaLow 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 by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.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. Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.About this RoleAs a Mechanisms Engineer on Varda’s Payload team, you will develop electromechanical flight hardware that operates in orbit, endures hypersonic reentry, and returns to Earth for inspection and iteration. You will take full-stack responsibility for payloads across both pharmaceutical manufacturing and hypersonic reentry testbed missions—delivering flight hardware from concept through build, test, launch, and recovery.You’ll collaborate closely with internal specialists and external partners, translate engineering requirements into flight-ready designs, and perform hands-on integration and testing to deliver hardware that flies in months, not years. This role is ideal for engineers with strong mechanical fundamentals who want to grow their breadth across thermal, fluids, avionics, software, and integration while shipping real hardware to space and back.ResponsibilitiesOwn payload hardware from concept through design, integration, launch, reentry, and recoveryDesign mechanisms, structures, thermal/fluid interfaces, and electromechanical assembliesRun structural, thermal, and fluid analyses (hand calcs, simplified models, and FEA as needed)Build, instrument, and test prototypes and flight hardwareWork across avionics, software, thermal, systems, and integration teams to define interfaces and ensure compatibilityServe as the primary technical point of contact for assigned payloadsGenerate documentation: requirements, ICDs, procedures, test reportsSupport mission operations and post-flight teardownContribute to lessons learned and continuous improvementBasic QualificationsBS/BEng in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, or related engineering disciplineStrong fundamentals in structures, heat transfer, fluids, and dynamicsHands-on experience designing, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting electromechanical hardwareAbility to communicate effectively across disciplinesPreferred QualificationsExperience integrating electromechanical actuators, sensors, thermal control hardware and/or fluid control hardwareExperience using CAD (NX preferred) and FEA (Ansys, Nastran)Exposure to aerospace environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC)Customer-facing technical communication experienceAbility to obtain a government security clearancePay RangeSalary range: Engineer I: $104,000.00 - $122,000.00/per yearEngineer II: $119,000.00 - $153,000.00/per yearThis role is on-sitein El Segundo, CALeveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performanceYou will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awardsBenefitsVarda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of 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 optionsVoluntary 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 provided twice weekly Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrationsComplimentary EV chargingITAR RequirementsVarda, 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.“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).E-Verify StatementVarda 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 NoticeRead moreRead moreVarda 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.