Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Propulsion)
Required skills
- propulsion system production
- valve assembly
- tube fabrication
- pressure vessel integration
- engine integration
- high-pressure fluid systems
- process traveler documents
- process specifications
- technical direction
- vehicle production cadence
Nice to have
- M.S. Mechanical engineering
- Fluid Mechanics
- Process Engineering
- launch vehicles
- spacecraft
- hypersonic vehicles
Role summary
Varda is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Propulsion) to scale propulsion system manufacturing. This role involves owning end-to-end processes for valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration. Responsibilities include developing work instructions, providing technical direction for process improvement, implementing cleanliness protocols, leading root cause analysis for non-conformances, and defining tooling requirements. The ideal candidate will have 6-10+ years of experience in manufacturing, specifically with propulsion or high-pressure fluid systems in aerospace, and possess strong problem-solving skills. Experience with tube fabrication, fluid system assembly, and contamination control is essential. Preferred qualifications include an M.S. degree, experience with launch vehicles, various manufacturing methods like welding and additive manufacturing, and NDT techniques.
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. Varda’s 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 the Principal Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer at Varda, you will have the opportunity to utilize your experience to scale manufacturing from a few bespoke vehicles to many consistent, concurrent builds. This role supports propulsion system production, including valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration. The Propulsion ME owns manufacturing processes for high-pressure fluid systems and propulsion hardware from tube shop operations through acceptance testing. Manufacturing Engineers are a vital part of increasing Varda's build cadence, working directly with design engineers and technicians across the full range of processes required to manufacture our vehicles. The focus of the job is to implement incremental improvement for every vehicle Varda produces.
Responsibilities
Basic Qualifications
Preferred Skills and Experience
Pay Range
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 the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
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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.
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