Payload Mechanisms Engineer II — Flight Hardware for Space

Varda Space; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda Space in El Segundo, CA, is seeking a Mechanisms Engineer II on the Payload team to develop electromechanical flight hardware for in-orbit manufacturing and hypersonic reentry testbeds. You will own payloads end-to-end from concept through build, test, launch, and recovery.

Collaborate with internal experts and external partners, translate requirements into flight-ready designs, and perform hands-on integration and testing so hardware can fly in months, not years.

Qualifications

• 2+ years designing and analyzing complex electro-mechanical hardware.
• Strong fundamentals in structures, heat transfer, fluids, and dynamics.
• Hands-on experience designing, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting electromechanical hardware.
• Ability to communicate effectively across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Own payload hardware from concept through design, integration, launch, reentry, and recovery.
• Design mechanisms, structures, thermal/fluid interfaces, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Run structural, thermal, and fluid analyses (hand calcs, simplified models, and FEA as needed).
• Build, instrument, and test prototypes and flight hardware.
• Work across avionics, software, thermal, systems, and integration teams to define interfaces and ensure compatibility.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for assigned payloads.
• Generate documentation: requirements, ICDs, procedures, test reports.
• Support mission operations and post-flight teardown.
• Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement.

Skills

Mechanical design

Electro-mechanical hardware

Thermal/Fluid fundamentals

Prototyping

Cross-discipline communication

Education

BS/BEng in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics or related

Tools

NX CAD

Ansys/Nastran

Job description

Varda Space in El Segundo, CA, is seeking a Mechanisms Engineer II on the Payload team to develop electromechanical flight hardware for in-orbit manufacturing and hypersonic reentry testbeds. You will own payloads end-to-end from concept through build, test, launch, and recovery.

Collaborate with internal experts and external partners, translate requirements into flight-ready designs, and perform hands-on integration and testing so hardware can fly in months, not years.