Principal Propulsion Engineer Components
Varda Space
Principal Propulsion Engineer Components
Varda Space
In-orbit manufacturing with reentry return services
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 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
Varda is hiring an experienced Principal Propulsion Engineer- Components to join the team that designs, builds, tests, and flies the fluid components on the W-Series satellite bus and future vehicles. The W-Series satellite incorporates a high-test hydrogen peroxide (HTP) and hydrocarbon bipropellant propulsion system with high-pressure inert gas pressurization and cold-gas attitude control. The component portfolio spans each of these fluid subsystems and includes solenoid control valves, check valves, relief valves, burst disks, fluid filters, regulators, manually operated service valves, machined fluid manifolds, and instrumentation including pressure transducers and RTDs. A successful candidate will take on a significant share of the component ownership for these mission-critical hardware articles as responsible engineer, helping expand component capabilities, improve reliability, and increase flight cadence.
Many current Varda components are purchased parts, and you will be a primary technical interface to our suppliers. Varda also intends to bring more component design in-house for current and future vehicles, and you will help lead that transition: shaping make-versus-buy decisions, executing detailed design, and standing up the capabilities to develop, qualify, produce, acceptance test, and fly Varda-owned parts. As part of a broad, multi-disciplinary engineering team, you will interface daily with propulsion systems, structures, production, thermal, avionics, and GNC engineers and technicians. You will inherit an operational, well-documented component baseline and drive improvements alongside the team. The role is hands-on: test stand development and operations, production floor support, occasional supplier visits, and issue or anomaly investigations as required. Bring your experience and passion, and let’s build something amazing.
Responsibilities
Basic Qualifications
Preferred Skills and Experience
Pay Range
Varda, 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).
Varda 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 Notice
Varda 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.
In-orbit manufacturing with reentry return services
Varda Space Industries provides in-space manufacturing by operating production facilities in low Earth orbit and returning finished goods to Earth using reentry capsules. Clients send materials or designs to Varda’s in-orbit production line, where microgravity enables manufacturing processes not possible on Earth. After production, capsules re-enter Earth's atmosphere to deliver goods back to customers, supported by in-orbit equipment and reliable reentry systems. The company aims to make low Earth orbit accessible for multiple industries by building end-to-end space manufacturing infrastructure and industrializing orbit for commercial use.
Explore more opportunities at Varda Space