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Propulsion Engineer I - Hardware and Bus Systems Verified today

Varda Space · El Segundo, CA · Propulsion · first seen 2026-10-21
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About Varda

Varda accelerates commercial space infrastructure development, including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing and reentry capsules. The W-Series vehicles are designed and operated in-house, including satellite buses, C-PICA heat shields, and processing payloads.

About This Role

As a Propulsion Engineer I, you are a hands-on technical owner of the propulsion subsystem across Varda's spacecraft fleet. You will own system architecture, generate analysis products, perform component sizing, develop propulsion tools, review data, execute mechanical design, run subsystem tests, and support operations for vehicles on the ground and in orbit.

You take ownership of assigned hardware and subsystems within a fast-moving interdisciplinary team. Your work directly contributes to current and future space vehicle development. You'll build technical breadth in propulsion system design, production, and operations through every project.

Responsibilities

  • Support and maintain the Varda spacecraft propulsion system technical baseline, including P&Ls and system-level documentation
  • Design, analyze, and test satellite bus propulsion flight hardware and components
  • Execute propulsion system block upgrades on operational vehicles, including schematic and hardware changes to increase reliability and launch cadence
  • Support requirements definition for future Varda vehicles and contribute to project plans, roadmaps, and milestones
  • Generate propulsion performance analysis products and document key requirements: propellant budgets, pressure ladders, fluid component sizing, structural and thermal limits
  • Deliver outputs as inputs to GNC, Mission Operations, Thermal, and cross-disciplinary partner teams
  • Build Python scripts and spreadsheet tools to automate recurring analysis and test data review workflows
  • Execute detailed mechanical design of propulsion hardware and fluid system components
  • Perform structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools
  • Author and review design documentation, engineering specs, build/integration/test procedures, and engineering memos
  • Support in-flight propulsion operations, including on-console support under senior engineer oversight
  • Disposition hardware nonconformances and support anomaly investigations and corrective actions

Basic Qualifications

  • BS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related discipline; equivalent professional experience considered
  • Hands-on propulsion or fluid systems design, build, and/or test experience for spacecraft or launch vehicles (including internship, coursework, or project experience)
  • Working knowledge of flight fluid system hardware: pressurized components, tubing, fittings, seals, valves, and instrumentation
  • Ability to read P&Ls; experience authoring P&Ls is a plus
  • Proficiency with CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent) and PLM software
  • Experience authoring or executing operational procedures for ground test or flight campaigns
  • Demonstrated ability to take ownership of assigned technical tasks and drive them to resolution

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • 1+ year of spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion experience, including familiarity with satellite bus-level propulsion architectures (monopropellant, bipropellant, cold gas systems)
  • Graduate coursework in propulsion or related fields
  • Experience building Python, MATLAB, or other scripts or spreadsheet tools to automate propulsion analysis or data review workflows
  • Exposure to structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools applied to propulsion or fluid system hardware
  • Familiarity with technical drawing review and GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards
  • Exposure to high-pressure fluid systems and spacecraft-grade propellants including cryogenic, hypergolic, or high-test peroxide systems
  • Awareness of cleanliness, handling, and safety requirements for propellants
  • Test, launch site, or in-flight operational experience on spacecraft or launch vehicles
  • Familiarity with 1D fluid modeling and analysis tools (GFSSP, REFPROP, or similar)
  • Strong technical communication skills in work instructions, engineering specs, and engineering memos

Pay and Location

  • Salary range: $109,148 to $139,466 per year
  • On-site in El Segundo, CA
  • Base salary determined by job-related skills, education, experience, and job performance
  • Eligible for stock options and/or long-term cash awards

ITAR Requirement

You must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or individual admitted as a refugee or granted asylum) to access export-controlled items in this role.