Senior Manufacturing Engineering

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Vardas 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 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. As the Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Payloads at Varda you will own the manufacturing and integration processes for the mission-critical payload systems that define what Vardas reentry capsules actually do in space. Vardas payloads including pharmaceutical processing hardware microgravity experiment modules and government and commercial customer systems represent the core value proposition of every mission. You will translate payload design requirements into production-ready assembly processes develop rigorous work instructions and work hands-on with technicians to ensure payloads are built integrated and verified to the highest standards of quality and cleanliness. This role demands both technical breadth and meticulous process discipline: you will interface with external payload customers internal design teams and the vehicle integration team to ensure every payload is ready to fly. If you are driven by the idea that what you manufacture will directly enable life-saving pharmaceuticals or cutting-edge scientific research in microgravity this role is for you.
Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for Varda payload systems including pharmaceutical processing hardware experiment modules and customer-furnished payload equipment
Develop and maintain detailed work instructions assembly travelers process specifications and acceptance test procedures for payload fabrication and integration operations
Serve as the primary manufacturing interface for payload customers translating customer requirements and ICD (Interface Control Document) constraints into executable production processes
Implement contamination control cleanliness and handling protocols appropriate for sensitive payload hardware including pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical components
Collaborate with payload design engineers to provide DFM and DFA feedback on assembly accessibility connector placement thermal interface design and testability
Define and execute payload acceptance testing functional verification checkouts and pre-integration inspections; Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for payload non-conformances; coordinate MRB dispositions with design engineering and where applicable payload customers
S. in Mechanical Biomedical Engineering or a related discipline with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 36 years)

• 3 years of experience manufacturing or integrating complex and compact electromechanical assemblies scientific instruments or payload systems in aerospace defense biomedical or research environments
• Demonstrated experience building and integrating precision hardware to tight tolerances and exacting cleanliness requirements
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings ICDs and assembly models; Experience developing and executing assembly procedures and acceptance test plans for multi-functional hardware assemblies
• comfortable interfacing directly with customers and cross-functional internal teams
• S. degree in Mechanical engineering specialized in Fluid Mechanics Biomedical Engineering or related discipline

Experience manufacturing or integrating spacecraft payloads scientific instruments or hosted payload modules for LEO GEO or deep space missions
Familiarity with pharmaceutical or bioprocessing hardware manufacturing requirements including GMP considerations and contamination control protocols relevant to in-space drug manufacturing
Background managing payload customer relationships from hardware delivery through integration verification and launch readiness
Knowledge of microgravity experiment hardware design considerations and their manufacturing implications
Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal vacuum vibration shock) as it applies to payload hardware acceptance and qualification
Prior work at a company developing commercial space services with a direct end-user product pharmaceutical government or research where manufacturing quality directly impacted mission outcome
This role ison-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
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. citizen U.S. lawful permanent resident or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).
Citizenship and Immigration Services. 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.