Space Mission Operations Engineer II Verified today
About Varda
Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, capsules, C-PICA heat shields, and satellite buses.
About This Role
The Mission Operations Engineer II is an experienced spacecraft operator, exceptional communicator, and leader capable of applying cross-discipline engineering to bespoke solutions. You will fully own on-orbit operations for Varda's Winnie Spaceship and mold a unique mission framework for operations in space.
Responsibilities
- Develop, coordinate, execute, and lead Varda's on-orbit missions
- Own the full ops development cycle for mission-unique payloads, from mission profile creation through execution
- Work with teams across the company to improve mission operations and ensure mission success
- Automate and eliminate operational burden by building webtools
- Scale up Varda's operational capabilities to support a growing flight cadence
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, preferably Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Science
- 2+ years of experience in a real-time operations role on a complex and high-consequence operation
- 1+ years of experience developing software tools in Python, JavaScript, and/or HTML
- Familiarity with Avionics, GNC, Software, and Thermal design practices for spacecraft
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 3+ years of experience with spacecraft systems
- Previous operator experience in a leadership role
- Previous in-orbit spacecraft operations experience
- Previous experience with Git and Atlassian products
- Familiarity with ground station networks
Compensation and Location
Salary range: $119,543 - $152,749 per year. This role is onsite in El Segundo, CA. 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 policy plus 12 paid holidays
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
- 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match, immediately vested
- Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space startup
- $120 per month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness
- 12 weeks of parental leave with supplemental disability leave for California mothers
- $20 per pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Relocation support for new hires
- Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours, and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging