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Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Propulsion) Verified today

Varda Space · El Segundo, CA · Propulsion · first seen 2026-10-27
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About Varda

Varda is accelerating commercial space infrastructure development, building W-Series vehicles for in-orbit pharmaceutical processing and reentry operations. The company designs, builds, and operates its vehicles in-house, including propulsion systems, heat shields, and satellite buses. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, with offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

The Role

As Principal Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer, you will own manufacturing processes for high-pressure fluid systems and propulsion hardware. You scale production from bespoke builds to consistent, concurrent vehicle manufacturing. This role reports on propulsion system production including valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration. You work directly with design engineers and technicians to improve build processes and increase vehicle production cadence.

Responsibilities

  • Own end-to-end manufacturing processes: valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration
  • Develop and maintain work instructions, process traveler documents, and process specifications for high-pressure fluid systems and propulsion hardware
  • Provide technical direction to improve propulsion build processes and drive increased vehicle production cadence
  • Implement and enforce propulsion-specific cleanliness protocols, contamination control procedures, and propellant compatibility requirements
  • Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for propulsion non-conformances, including leak events, contamination findings, and assembly defects
  • Define tooling and test equipment requirements for tube shop operations, leak checks, and propulsion acceptance testing
  • Collaborate with design engineers and supply chain to prevent schedule delays and resolve incoming hardware quality issues
  • Refine propulsion work cell layouts and product flow to support cadence increase and concurrent vehicle builds

Required Qualifications

  • B.S. in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related discipline (or equivalent professional experience, typically 6-10+ years)
  • 6+ years of manufacturing experience with propulsion systems, fluid systems, or high-pressure hardware in aerospace or related industry
  • Hands-on experience with tube fabrication, tube bending, tube fitting installation, and high-pressure fluid system assembly
  • Familiarity with propulsion system cleanliness requirements, cleanliness verification methods, and contamination control procedures
  • Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, P&IDs, and assembly models for fluid systems
  • Strong first principles problem-solving; ability to diagnose propulsion build defects and drive corrective action to closure
  • Physical ability to regularly lift 25 lbs, bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with flight hardware

Preferred Qualifications

  • M.S. degree in Mechanical engineering specialized in Fluid Mechanics, Process Engineering, or related discipline
  • Experience manufacturing and assembling propulsion systems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or hypersonic vehicles, including valve assembly and pressure vessel integration
  • Experience with high pressure fluid systems testing and qualification of assemblies including energetics and explosives
  • Experience with materials including metals, composites, and plastics for use in propulsion systems
  • Experience with manufacturing methods relevant to propulsion systems, including welding, orbital welding, machining and additive manufacturing
  • Experience with NDE, including ultrasonic testing, dye penetrant, xray and others
  • Prior work transitioning propulsion assemblies from development to production environments with increasing build rate
  • Familiarity with hazardous materials handling and safety protocols associated with propellant loading and propulsion acceptance testing

Compensation and Location

  • Salary Range: $181,913 - $262,763 per year
  • On-site in El Segundo, CA
  • Leveling and base salary determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
  • Eligible for stock options and/or long-term cash awards

ITAR and Work Authorization

You must be a U.S. person as defined by export control regulations (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum). Varda participates in E-Verify.