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Senior Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer Verified today

Varda Space · El Segundo, CA · Payload · first seen 2026-09-30
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About Varda

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

About this Role

As a Senior Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer, you will own end-to-end mission success for a diverse portfolio of payloads, including internally designed payloads and hosted customer payloads. Payloads may include inertial, RF, or optical sensors, communication systems, pharmaceutical processing equipment, and instrumentation.

You will serve as the technical bridge between each payload and the Varda vehicle. You will define interfaces, plan and execute integration and test campaigns, coordinate in-orbit operations, and ensure safe recovery of payload data and hardware. When payloads require special accommodations or vehicle modifications, you will work across the vehicle engineering team to scope and implement changes.

Responsibilities

  • Act as responsible engineer for assigned payloads from initial scoping through post-flight data delivery, for both in-house pharma payloads and hosted customer payloads
  • Work with payload providers to understand mission objectives, derive detailed requirements, and capture interfaces in formal ICDs
  • Take ambiguous mission concepts and formulate executable project plans, working with other engineering disciplines to scope and implement non-standard accommodations
  • Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external payload customers throughout the mission lifecycle
  • Plan and execute payload-level integration and test activities, including incoming inspection, functional checkouts, and environmental testing (vibration, EMI/EMC, TVAC), plus payload-specific verifications such as leak testing or pharmaceutical process testing
  • Identify, document, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues during integration and test activities
  • Work with mission operations engineers to define payload flight operations, command sequences, and operations procedures, and support on-console operations
  • Drive continued evolution of standard payload interfaces, accommodations, and integration workflow
  • Serve as a technical resource across the team, reviewing others' work and offering mentorship to earlier-career engineers

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Chemical, Systems Engineering, or other relevant field
  • 5 or more years of experience integrating and testing spacecraft, payloads, or comparably complex electro-mechanical hardware
  • Experience as the named responsible engineer for at least one payload or comparable hardware element through a full program cycle, including flight or equivalent end use
  • Experience developing and managing interface control documents, requirements, and verification/validation plans
  • Demonstrated ability to carry multiple hardware efforts concurrently against fixed schedule milestones
  • Wide technical background with knowledge in two or more of: structures, thermal management, electronics, embedded software, optics, RF systems, GNC, communication systems, fluid systems
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Comfortable working hands-on in a cleanroom with critical flight hardware. Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs and be comfortable bending, stooping, and standing while working directly with hardware

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience integrating hosted or customer-furnished payloads onto a spacecraft or launch vehicle
  • Hands-on experience with aerospace environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC) and associated test standards (e.g., GSFC-STD-7000 and SMC-S-016)
  • Experience working with external partners or customers to define interfaces and coordinate joint execution
  • Exposure to pharmaceutical, biomedical, or other regulated-industry hardware and quality practices

Compensation and Location

Salary range: $140,333 to $179,314 per year. This role is on-site in El Segundo, California. Leveling and base salary are determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance. You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

Benefits

Full-time employees receive: flexible PTO plus 12 paid holidays; 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for employees and dependents; FSA and employer-matched HSA options; voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance; $120 monthly wellness reimbursement; 12 weeks parental leave; family building and parenting benefits via Maven Clinic; sponsored One Medical memberships; 401(k) with 6% employer match (immediately vested); $20 per pay period cell phone reimbursement; relocation support; fully stocked kitchen with daily lunch and twice-weekly dinner; company and team-bonding events; and complimentary EV charging.

ITAR Requirements

Employees must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. and will have access to export-controlled items. This position requires US person status for ITAR compliance.