V

Varda Space

In-orbit manufacturing with reentry return services

Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Integration

Manufacturing EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeEl Segundo, CA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • A B.S. in Mechanical or Systems Engineering, or a related discipline, with equivalent professional experience considered (typically 6–10+ years).
  • At least 6 years of experience in vehicle- or system-level integration roles or final assembly within aerospace, defense, robotics, or similar industries.
  • Strong understanding of how multiple mechanical, electrical, and fluid subsystems interface within a vehicle assembly.
  • Experience developing and executing complex assembly or integration procedures.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and make sound real-time decisions on the production floor.
  • Exceptional communication and coordination skills across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with flight hardware.

Responsibilities

  • Own spacecraft integration sequences and procedures from subassembly mating through final vehicle closeout and acceptance.
  • Develop, maintain, and continuously improve assembly travelers and integration work instructions that sequence all subsystem interfaces correctly.
  • Serve as the primary interface between manufacturing and the structures, propulsion, avionics, and thermal protection system engineering disciplines during vehicle integration.
  • Identify and resolve interface conflicts, clearance issues, and assembly sequence problems before they impact the build schedule.
  • Lead integration readiness reviews and ensure all pre-integration checkpoints—including cleanliness, foreign object debris sweeps, torque records, and pin-to-pin checks—are completed and documented.
  • Drive root cause analysis and corrective action for integration non-conformances; disposition material review board issues in coordination with design engineering.
  • Track integration metrics, including planned versus actual cycle time, non-conformance report rates, and rework hours, and implement targeted improvements to meet cadence goals.
  • Define tooling and lifting and handling equipment requirements for safe vehicle integration operations.

Desired Qualifications

  • A master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering specialized in Embedded Systems, Mechatronics, Control Theory, or a similar or related discipline, with equivalent professional experience considered.
  • Experience as a lead integration engineer or integration manufacturing engineer on a launch vehicle, satellite, or spacecraft program.
  • Familiarity with integration and test flows for complex aerospace vehicles, including functional testing at each integration milestone.
  • Background managing integration of flight hardware from multiple subsystem suppliers or internal teams into a single vehicle.
  • Experience with configuration management and build record documentation in a regulated aerospace environment.
  • Knowledge of cleanliness and contamination control requirements for propulsion, optical, or precision mechanism integration.
  • Hands-on experience with vehicle handling equipment, including cranes, slings, rotation fixtures, and precision alignment tooling.
  • Prior work in a manufacturing environment actively scaling from unit builds to multi-vehicle concurrent production.
  • Experience conducting integration readiness reviews, pre-mate inspections, and post-integration functional checkouts.

About the Company

Varda Space

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.

Company size
201-500
Company stage
Series D
Total funding
$609.5M
Headquarters
El Segundo, CA
Founded
2020

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at Varda Space

See more jobs