Senior Propulsion Engineer Ground Fluids

About Varda

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.

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 Space Industries is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to be responsible for ground propulsion fluid systems for Varda spacecraft. This person will take ownership of the architecture design and operation of fluid systems that support spacecraft fueling testing and launch preparation. Your expertise will ensure the reliability and performance of systems essential to mission success. We are looking to optimize our propulsion system for our current and future generation space vehicles. Ready to grow with us

Responsibilities

• Architect design build and operate ground fluid systems for Varda Spacecraft
• Lead and execute propellant loading operations across multiple Varda sites
• Define and own Vardas process for propellant handling and ensuring that commodities meet specifications for flight
• Own the ground fluids roadmap including identification of future asset and personnel needs

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or higher in a technical field
• 6 years in propulsion fluid system definition design build and test for spacecraft or rockets
• Deep understanding of fluid system components such as pressurized hardware tubing fittings seals valves instrumentation etc.
• Experience authoring and executing operational procedures for test or flight
• Experience authoring and interpreting Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams
• Direct experience with fluid system manufacturing processes and installation methods
• Familiarity with 91-710 or equivalent range safety specifications
• Proficient with CAD and product lifecycle management software
• Willingness and ability to take ownership of problems and drive projects to completion
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic highly technical environment

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 8 years in propulsion fluid systems definition design build and test for spacecraft or rockets
• Experience with spacecraft propellants
• Test or Launch Site fluid systems operations experience
• Strong technical communication skills with exception clarity in authoring work instructions specifications and assembly procedures

Pay Range

• Salary Range: $133000.00 - $170000.00/per year
• This role ison-sitein 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

• 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. At present some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than U.S. Persons as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items our current 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 in the U.S.)

  Learn more about the ITAR here.

Benefits