Manager of Propulsion Systems

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 Role As Manager of Propulsion Systems, you will own the success of a critical subsystem within Varda's interdisciplinary engineering organization. You will be responsible for propulsion system architecture, analysis, mechanical design, subsystem test, and operations, both on the ground and in orbit. You will lead a team of propulsion systems engineers through Varda's evolving vehicle designs and block upgrades, with your work directly shaping the development of future spacecraft and capabilities central to Varda's growth.The ideal candidate excels in propulsion systems technical leadership and thrives working cross-functionally across engineering domains, mission assurance, production, and supply chain. This role is open at the Manager level, with leveling determined by candidate experience.Responsibilities Own the spacecraft propulsion systems discipline and its interfaces end-to-end across the engineering organization and full product lifecycleSet the technical direction for Varda propulsion systems; expand team and subsystem capabilities through ongoing engineering development, driving projects from concept through implementation and flightOwn vehicle Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), which directly define spacecraft capabilities in orbitDrive and define interfaces with partner disciplines; set team priorities, remove blockers, and ensure thorough coverage across all deliverables as the program scalesLead, grow, and hire the propulsion systems team responsible for subsystem development and operations, serving as the primary propulsion interface with GNC, software, structures, thermal, avionics, production, mission operations, and other partner teamsRepresent propulsion systems in cross-functional forums internally and externally; plan and execute major spacecraft testing campaigns and in-flight operations alongside your teamDefine and uphold a high technical bar by informing and applying Varda's interdisciplinary engineering standards to the propulsion systems teamBasic Qualifications B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related field; equivalent professional experience considered5–9 years of hands-on experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion, including design, build, and test of fluid systems or propulsion subsystemsDemonstrated people leadership experience — formally or informally managing, mentoring, or technically leading a team of engineersDeep technical understanding of spacecraft propulsion subsystems, including fluid system components, P&IDs, pressurized hardware, and propellant handlingProven ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries and drive multi-disciplinary technical solutions through a pragmatic systems engineering approachExperience authoring and executing operational procedures for ground test or flight operationsProficiency with CAD and PLM softwarePreferred Skills and Experience8+ years in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion, with breadth across design, analysis, test, and operationsPrior formal management experience: hiring, performance management, and team developmentExperience with satellite bus propulsion architectures, including monopropellant, bipropellant, and cold gas systemsFamiliarity with fluid systems performance analysis tools and methodsBackground in defining and enforcing engineering standards or design guidelines within a propulsion organizationLaunch site processing of spaceflight hardware and/or flight operations experienceExceptional communication skills — ability to translate technical complexity into clear direction for your team and clear status for leadershipPay RangeSalary Range: Manager: $170,280- $217,580This 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.