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Senior Vehicle Systems, Integration, & Test Engineer Verified today

Varda Space · El Segundo, CA · Production · first seen 2026-07-16
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About Varda

Varda accelerates commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable reentry capsules. The W-Series vehicles, capsules, heat shields, and satellite buses are designed, built, and operated in-house. Varda has completed five missions, with four launched in 2025 alone.

The Role

As Senior Vehicle Systems, Integration, and Test Engineer, you will own the vehicle from integration through launch and improve the process along the way. This is not a support role. You will lead design trades, define the test campaign, execute tests on the floor, and command the vehicle once it is in orbit.

You sit at the intersection of systems and integration and test: design reviews in the morning, testing on the floor in the afternoon. You interface with all engineering departments and must drive conflicting requirements to implemented solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Own technical decisions to ensure vehicle success
  • Create and own the vehicle integration and test campaign to validate and verify vehicle flight readiness
  • Analyze and optimize system-level performance metrics: mass, delta-V, power, and data budgets; make trade calls when subsystems conflict
  • Direct and influence vehicle design by leading system-level trades and design reviews
  • Manage technical outcome and milestone schedule to enable on-time vehicle delivery
  • Own vehicle schematic and harness design; provide input to avionics, propulsion, and guidance systems
  • Evaluate vehicle change impacts and drive execution of vehicle-level change implementation
  • Utilize Python to automate system testing and data review; build tools the team depends on
  • Operate vehicles in space: execute procedures, determine vehicle health, and poll subsystems

Basic Qualifications

  • B.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field and 5+ years of experience in systems, integration, and/or test on critical hardware programs
  • Experience as the decision maker on a test campaign, not simply supporting one
  • Teamwork, communication, and problem solving in a collaborative environment
  • Proven experience working on complex technical programs
  • Strong first principles thinking and technical breadth across relevant fields: electrical, mechanical, software, etc.
  • Working knowledge of aerospace vehicle subsystems
  • Hands-on experience building aerospace vehicles
  • Physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs; comfortable bending, stooping, and standing
  • Hands-on position may require standing and working directly with hardware on the floor

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Hands-on experience with GNC and propulsion sensors and actuators
  • Designed and owned vehicle-level design trades and/or test campaigns on a successfully completed program
  • Deep knowledge of satellite systems engineering, including all satellite subsystems
  • Experience with project management of the full lifecycle of a project
  • Capability to solve complex problems autonomously or as a member of an integrated team
  • Experience with one or more general-purpose programming languages, such as C++ and Python
  • Experience with aerospace hardware development practices: qualification testing, design for space environments, cleanliness, etc.
  • Prior work in a technical leadership role for a launch vehicle or satellite development effort
  • Experience supporting flight test or flying spacecraft
  • Experience in a production environment
  • Wiring schematic, harness design, and harness manufacturing experience
  • Unigraphics NX experience or similar CAD software

Compensation and Work Location

Salary Range: $140,333 to $202,703 per year. This role is onsite in El Segundo, CA. Leveling and base salary are determined by job-related skills, education, experience, and job performance. You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

ITAR Requirements

Varda employees are exposed to and have access to export-controlled items. Our policy is to hire only US persons permitted to have access to our 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) (individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum). Varda participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program.