Senior Manufacturing Engineering

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 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 Varda's reentry capsules actually do in space. Varda's 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 3–6+ 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

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

Regular Full-Time Positions

• 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
• 120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediatelyvested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly

Intern Positions

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000gross up in relocation support, ifeligible
• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly

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.

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