Director, Space Payload Systems Integration & Test

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 251,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Medical Insurance

Relocation support

Stock options

401(k) match

EV charging

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Director of Payload Systems Integration and Test to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for end-to-end success of inertial, RF, and optical payloads, including pharmaceutical processing hardware. You will own interfaces, test campaigns, and in-orbit readiness, coordinating with vehicle teams to maintain cadence and reliability.

You will hire, plan headcount, and define workflows while developing the Varda Payload User Guide.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in spacecraft/aerospace hardware spanning integration, test, mission execution
• Experience turning ill-defined problems into executable plans and requirements
• Hands-on environmental qualification campaigns on flight hardware
• Strong interface engineering background with ICDs and requirements flow-down

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the Payload Systems Integration & Test team, hiring and developing engineers
• Own integration and test for pharma payloads: test planning, verification, environmental qualification
• Collaborate with payload design teams to shape testability and rapid iteration
• Define payload interfaces and requirements; maintain payload user guides and standards
• Plan and execute integration/test campaigns across lines; perform verification and qualification
• Coordinate with vehicle integration & test to share practices while maintaining distinct processes
• Support mission management to meet milestones and be the technical face to customers
• Oversee payload operations through flight, reentry, and recovery
• Establish scalable cleanroom practices and documentation

Skills

Leadership

Systems integration

Environmental qualification

Interface engineering

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer-facing

Cleanroom operations

Education

B.S. in engineering

M.S. in aerospace/mechanical/chemical/systems engineering

Job description

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Director of Payload Systems Integration and Test to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for end-to-end success of inertial, RF, and optical payloads, including pharmaceutical processing hardware. You will own interfaces, test campaigns, and in-orbit readiness, coordinating with vehicle teams to maintain cadence and reliability.

You will hire, plan headcount, and define workflows while developing the Varda Payload User Guide.