Senior Environmental Test Engineer Verified today

About Varda

Varda accelerates commercial space infrastructure development, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles, including pharmaceutical payloads, capsules, C-PICA heat shields, and satellite buses, are built, designed, and operated in-house. The company is headquartered in El Segundo, California with offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

About This Role

As Senior Environmental Test Engineer, you will serve as the technical authority for vibration testing of spacecraft and space-qualified hardware. You will own vibration test procedures end-to-end: from reviewing requirements and designing fixtures, to overseeing execution on the test floor and ensuring all resulting data is accurately captured, analyzed, and documented. Working at the intersection of structures, manufacturing, systems engineering, and test operations, you will help guarantee that flight hardware meets the mechanical robustness required to survive launch and spaceflight environments.

Responsibilities

• Own vibration test planning and execution for spacecraft and space-grade components, including qualification, acceptance, and development-level campaigns
• Develop, review, and continuously improve vibration test procedures, work instructions, and supporting documentation
• Review engineering requirements, test matrices, and environmental specifications to ensure test coverage is accurate and complete
• Evaluate, design, or oversee the design of custom vibration test fixtures, ensuring they meet structural stiffness, mass, and interface requirements
• Serve as the primary interface between test operations and engineering groups (structures, systems, avionics, manufacturing) during environmental test activities
• Identify and resolve fixture-interface issues, test configuration conflicts, and schedule risks prior to hardware entering the test queue
• Oversee vibration test readiness reviews, confirming fixture integrity, hardware configuration, instrumentation, and test article safety
• Lead on-floor vibration test operations, ensuring execution adheres strictly to procedure, safety standards, and configuration control
• Drive root cause analysis and RCCA for test anomalies or non-conformances; disposition MRBs in coordination with responsible engineering teams
• Review and approve post-test data packages, including plots, accelerometer responses, workmanship checks, and final test reports
• Track environmental test metrics (cycle time, NCR rate, fixture availability, hardware throughput) and implement improvements to increase test cadence
• Define tooling, handling, and support equipment requirements to enable safe and efficient test operations

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience (typically 3-6+ years)
• 3+ years of experience in environmental testing, specifically vibration testing, for spacecraft, launch vehicles, aerospace systems, or high-reliability hardware
• Strong understanding of how spacecraft subsystems respond to dynamic environments (mechanical, electrical, fluid, and structural interfaces)
• Experience authoring or executing environmental test procedures, with emphasis on vibration or shock testing
• Ability to manage shifting priorities and make sound decisions during real-time test operations
• Exceptional communication skills and comfort coordinating across multi-discipline engineering teams
• Must be physically able to routinely move test fixtures or hardware up to 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and work around large test equipment

Preferred Skills and Experience

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with relevant specialization (structures, dynamics, test engineering)
• Experience as a lead vibration test engineer on spacecraft, satellite, or launch vehicle hardware programs
• Familiarity with full environmental test flows, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and acoustic testing
• Background designing or validating flight hardware fixtures, test adapters, or dynamic qualification setups
• Experience maintaining configuration control, test record documentation, and traceability in a regulated aerospace environment
• Knowledge of cleanliness standards, contamination control, and hardware handling requirements for precision mechanisms or propulsion components
• Hands-on experience with large environmental test equipment: shaker tables, slip plates, head expanders, lifting hardware, and alignment tools
• Prior experience supporting manufacturing or test environments transitioning from prototype builds to production throughput
• Experience conducting test readiness reviews, fixture inspections, accelerometer placement reviews, and post-test functional checkouts

Compensation

• Salary Range: $140,000 to $170,000 per year
• Eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
• Leveling and base salary determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance

Benefits

• Flexible PTO policy plus 12 paid holidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
• $120 per month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for California mothers)
• Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• $20 per pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation support for new hires, if needed
• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

Employees are exposed to and have access to export-controlled items. Varda hires only "U.S. persons" permitted to have access to its 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). Varda participates in the E-Verify program.