Manager of Propulsion Systems
Job Location:
El Segundo, CA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
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.Vardas 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
As Manager of Propulsion Systems you will own the success of a critical subsystem within Vardas interdisciplinary engineering organization. You will be responsible for propulsion system architecture analysis mechanical design subsystem test and operations both on theground and in orbit. You will lead a team of propulsion systems engineers through Vardas evolving vehicle designs and block upgrades with your work directly shaping the development of future spacecraft and capabilities central to Vardas growth.
The ideal candidate excels in propulsion systems technical leadership and thrives working cross-functionally across engineering domains mission assurance production and supply chain. This role is open at the Manager level with leveling determined by candidate experience.
Responsibilities
- Own the spacecraft propulsion systems discipline and its interfaces end-to-end across the engineering organization and full product lifecycle
- Set the technical direction for Varda propulsion systems; expand team and subsystem capabilities through ongoing engineering development driving projects from concept through implementation and flight
- Own vehicle Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) which directly define spacecraft capabilities in orbit
- Drive and define interfaces with partner disciplines; set team priorities remove blockers and ensure thorough coverage across all deliverables as the program scales
- Lead grow and hire the propulsion systems team responsible for subsystem development and operations serving as the primary propulsion interface with GNC software structures thermal avionics production mission operations and other partner teams
- Represent propulsion systems in cross-functional forums internally and externally; plan and execute major spacecraft testing campaigns and in-flight operations alongside your team
- Define and uphold a high technical bar by informing and applying Vardas interdisciplinary engineering standards to the propulsion systems team
Basic Qualifications
- B.S. in Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mathematics Physics or a closely related field; equivalent professional experience considered
- 59 years of hands-on experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion including design build and test of fluid systems or propulsion subsystems
- Demonstrated people leadership experience formally or informally managing mentoring or technically leading a team of engineers
- Deep technical understanding of spacecraft propulsion subsystems including fluid system components P&IDs pressurized hardware and propellant handling
- Proven ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries and drive multi-disciplinary technical solutions through a pragmatic systems engineering approach
- Experience authoring and executing operational procedures for ground test or flight operations
- Proficiency with CAD and PLM software
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 8 years in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion with breadth across design analysis test and operations
- Prior formal management experience: hiring performance management and team development
- Experience with satellite bus propulsion architectures including monopropellant bipropellant and cold gas systems
- Familiarity with fluid systems performance analysis tools and methods
- Background in defining and enforcing engineering standards or design guidelines within a propulsion organization
- Launch site processing of spaceflight hardware and/or flight operations experience
- Exceptional communication skills ability to translate technical complexity into clear direction for your team and clear status for leadership
Pay Range
- Salary Range:
- Manager: $170280- $217580
- 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 offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health financial wellbeing and a highquality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what fulltime employees receive(at this time interns receive a subset of benefits):
Health & Wellness
- 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
- Voluntaryaccident hospital critical illnessandpet insurance
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
- 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
- Family building pregnancyparentingand menopausebenefitsvia Maven Clinic
- SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents
Financial & Retirement
- Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start-up
- 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Relocation supportfor new hires if needed
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
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 theE-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.
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
Expanding the economic bounds of humankind with the world's first orbital manufacturing & reentry platform.
