Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Payloads (Aerospace)

Location: On-site in El Segundo, California, United States. U.S. work authorization and U.S. person status are required for access to export-controlled technology.

Salary: $140,333–$179,314 per year, plus potential stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

Company

Varda develops commercial space infrastructure, including in-space pharmaceutical processing payloads, reentry capsules, heat shields, and satellite buses.

What you will do

• Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for pharmaceutical hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished payload equipment.
• Develop work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures.
• Translate customer requirements and ICD constraints into executable production and integration processes.
• Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols for pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical hardware.
• Collaborate with design engineers on DFM/DFA, assembly accessibility, connector placement, thermal interfaces, and testability.
• Lead acceptance testing, verification, inspections, non-conformance investigations, corrective actions, and payload readiness coordination.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3+ years of experience manufacturing or integrating complex electromechanical assemblies, scientific instruments, or payload systems.
• Experience building precision hardware to tight tolerances and exacting cleanliness requirements.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, ICDs, assembly models, GD&T, and interface requirements.
• Experience developing assembly procedures and acceptance test plans for multifunctional hardware.
• Ability to work on-site and regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods.

Nice to have

• Experience with spacecraft payloads, scientific instruments, hosted payloads, or LEO, GEO, or deep-space missions.
• Pharmaceutical or bioprocessing hardware experience, including GMP and contamination-control practices.
• Experience with payload customer relationships, ICD management, interface verification, and vehicle integration.
• Knowledge of microgravity hardware and environmental testing, including thermal vacuum, vibration, and shock testing.
• Experience working in an ISO Class 7 or better cleanroom.

Culture & Benefits

• Regular full-time employment with flexible PTO and 12 paid holidays.
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
• 12 weeks of parental leave and family-building, parenting, pregnancy, and menopause benefits.
• 401(k) plan with a 6% immediately vested employer match and incentive equity.
• Relocation support may be available for new hires, with provided meals, team events, and complimentary EV charging.