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Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Propulsion) Verified today

Varda Space · El Segundo, CA · Propulsion · first seen 2026-10-24
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About Varda

Varda is building commercial space infrastructure for in-orbit pharmaceutical processing and reliable reentry capsules. The W-Series vehicles are designed, built, and operated in-house by Varda, including propulsion systems, heat shields, capsules, and satellite buses.

The Role

As Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer, you will scale manufacturing processes from a few bespoke vehicles to many consistent, concurrent builds. You own manufacturing processes for high-pressure fluid systems and propulsion hardware from tube shop operations through acceptance testing, working directly with design engineers and technicians to increase build cadence.

Responsibilities

  • Own end-to-end manufacturing processes for propulsion system production: 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 3-6+ years)
  • 3+ 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 capability; able to diagnose propulsion build defects and drive corrective action to closure
  • Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with flight hardware

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • 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 or 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

  • Salary Range: $140,333 - $179,314 per year
  • Stock options and/or long-term cash awards eligible

Location and Work Environment

  • On-site in El Segundo, California
  • Base salary determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance

ITAR Requirements

You must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR regulations: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum). Employees have access to export-controlled technology and items.