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Salary: USD 181,913 - 232,444 / annual
Varda Space Industries is building commercial space infrastructure, including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing systems and reentry capsules. As Principal Manufacturing Engineer for Payloads, you will own the end-to-end manufacturing and integration of mission-critical payload systems—including pharmaceutical processing hardware, microgravity experiment modules, and customer systems—that define the value of every Varda mission.
You will translate payload design requirements into production-ready assembly processes, develop detailed work instructions and acceptance test procedures, and work hands-on with technicians to ensure payloads meet the highest standards of quality and cleanliness. This role demands both technical breadth and meticulous process discipline. You will serve as the primary manufacturing interface for external payload customers, internal design teams, and the vehicle integration team, ensuring every payload is flight-ready.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly for all payload systems, including pharmaceutical hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished equipment
- Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures
- Serve as primary manufacturing interface for payload customers, translating requirements and Interface Control Documents into executable production processes
- Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols for sensitive hardware including pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical components
- Collaborate with payload design engineers on design-for-manufacturability and design-for-assembly feedback
- Define and execute payload acceptance testing, functional verification, and pre-integration inspections; maintain complete build records
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for non-conformances; coordinate Material Review Board dispositions
- Coordinate payload integration milestones with vehicle integration team to align readiness gates with build schedule
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, CA with offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. The company was founded in 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov and is backed by Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and other top-tier investors. The team includes veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies, and Silicon Valley.
REQUIREMENTS:
- B.S. in Mechanical, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent professional experience, typically 6–10+ years)
- 6+ years of experience manufacturing or integrating complex, 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; familiarity with GD&T and interface requirement management
- Experience developing and executing assembly procedures and acceptance test plans for multi-functional hardware assemblies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interfacing directly with customers and cross-functional teams
- Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working with flight hardware
- U.S. person status required (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) due to ITAR export-control requirements
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
- M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering (Fluid Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, or related)
- 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, including GMP considerations and contamination control protocols for in-space drug manufacturing
- Background managing payload customer relationships from hardware delivery through integration, verification, and launch readiness
- Experience with ICD management and interface verification for payload-to-spacecraft integration
- Knowledge of microgravity experiment hardware design considerations and manufacturing implications
- Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock) for payload hardware acceptance and qualification
- Experience in cleanroom environments (ISO Class 7 or better) for sensitive flight payload integration
- Prior work at companies developing commercial space services with direct end-user products (pharmaceutical, government, or research) where manufacturing quality directly impacted mission outcome
