Senior Fluid Systems Engineer Pharmaceutical Payloads
Job Location:
El Segundo, CA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
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.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 a Senior Fluid Systems Engineer on Vardas Payload team you will develop first of its kind electromechanical fluid-handling hardware that manufactures pharmaceuticals in microgravity endures hypersonic reentry and returns to Earth for material extraction. Your payloads will precisely meter mix filter transport and thermally control pharmaceutical materials in compact spacecraft-compatible hardware. Youll be responsible for the full payload lifecycledriving development from concept through design analysis build test launch on-orbit operation recovery post-flight inspection and iteration for future missions.
Youll collaborate closely with pharmaceutical scientists and process engineers to translate mission objectives into qualified hardware that flies in months not years. This role is ideal for engineers who pair strong mechanical and fluid systems expertise with the breadth to drive cross-functional efforts across thermal mechanisms avionics software integration and test while delivering complex hardware on short development timelines.
Responsibilities
- Own pharmaceutical manufacturing payloads from concept through design integration launch in-orbit operation reentry and recovery
- Lead the design of precision fluid systems including valves pumps pistons manifolds tubing fittings seals filters sensors and thermal-control systems
- Independently perform fluid thermal structural and mechanism analyses (hand calcs Python/MATLAB models and FEA as needed)
- Build instrument and test prototypes and flight hardware to characterize flow rate mixing filtration sealing leak rate pressure drop thermal stability contamination sensitivity and reliability
- Integrate cross-functional inputs from business development pharmaceutical science and spacecraft subsystem teams into payload requirements
- Develop subsystem requirements ICDs verification plans test reports and recovery procedures
- Lead continuous improvement and incorporation of lessons learned
- Mentor entry-level engineers and interns
Basic Qualifications
- BS/BEng in Mechanical Aerospace Mechatronics Biomedical Chemical or related engineering discipline
- 4 years of experience designing integrating testing and troubleshooting electromechanical hardware
- Strong mechanical and fluid systems expertise with breadth in at least one adjacent discipline such as avionics software thermal optics test precision instrumentation etc.
- Experience delivering hardware for rigorous environments such as aerospace defense semiconductor manufacturing or biotech manufacturing
- Experience with valves pumps pistons tubing manifolds fittings seals filters sensors metering hardware thermal-control hardware and/or compact fluidic assemblies
- Ability to independently define tasks manage schedules and deliver integrated hardware
- Excellent cross-disciplinary communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior full-cycle ownership of precision fluid-handling hardware for relevant applications
- In Space: ECLSS low-thrust propulsion astronaut suits spacecraft thermal control etc.
- On Earth: semiconductor process equipment biotech process equipment analytical instruments medical devices etc.
- Experience with P&IDs fluid schematics component sizing pressure-drop analysis leak testing flow characterization 0D/1D fluid/thermal modeling or design of experiments for process hardware
- Experience with compact systems that control small volumes of liquids or gases under thermal cleanliness pressure sterility or contamination constraints
- Experience planning and executing aerospace environmental testing (vibration TVAC EMI/EMC)
- Familiarity with microgravity fluid behavior capillary-driven flows gas/liquid separation two-phase flow cGMP principles cleanroom practices or regulated hardware environments
Pay Range
- Salary range: $140000 - $180000/per year
- This role is on-site in 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
Benefits
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
ITAR Requirements
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).
E-Verify Statement
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:
Senior IC
About Company
Expanding the economic bounds of humankind with the world's first orbital manufacturing & reentry platform.
