Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Match

Relocation Support

Stock Options/Long-term cash awards

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking an experienced Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer in El Segundo to own end-to-end mission success for diverse payloads. You will bridge payloads with the vehicle, define interfaces, plan integration and test campaigns, and ensure successful on-orbit data retrieval and safe recovery.

You will collaborate with multiple engineering teams to scope vehicle modifications, develop verification plans, and support in-orbit operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field and 2+ years in spacecraft payload integration/testing.
• Experience solving complex hardware integration problems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable hands-on work with flight hardware in a cleanroom.

Responsibilities

• Own payload integration/test from scoping to post-flight data delivery.
• Define interfaces and capture requirements in ICDs.
• Serve as primary technical contact for external payload customers.
• Plan and execute payload-level integration and test activities (vibration, EMI/EMC, TVAC).
• Coordinate full-vehicle test activities with vehicle I&T engineers.
• Identify and resolve issues during integration and testing.
• Define payload flight operations and procedures with mission ops.
• Drive lessons learned into documentation and guides.

Skills

Hands-on

First-principles problem solving

Broad system thinking

Strong communication

Cleanroom experience

Physical fitness

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Technical bridging payload/vehicle

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering

Tools

ICD development tools

Interface control documents (ICDs)

GSFC-STD-7000

SMC-S-016

Job description

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. 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 by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses. From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

About This Role

As a Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer at Varda, you will own the end-to-end mission success for a diverse portfolio of payloads, including both internally designed payloads and hosted customer payloads. Example payloads may include inertial, RF, or optical sensors or communication systems, as well as various types of pharmaceutical processing equipment and instrumentation.

You will serve as the technical bridge between each payload and the Varda vehicle, defining interfaces, planning and executing integration and test campaigns, coordinating in-orbit operations, and ensuring 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 these changes.

This role is ideal for system-minded engineers with broad cross-disciplinary background, looking to do both concept synthesis as well as hands‑on integration and test.

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 scope and define payload-to-vehicle interfaces, capture requirements in ICDs and coordinate any special accommodations or vehicle changes with related engineering disciplines
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external payload customers throughout the mission lifecycle (early-stage scoping through deorbit and recovery)
• 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
• Coordinate with Vehicle I&T engineers to plan & execute full-vehicle test activities (e.g., payload installation, system compatibility & vehicle-in-the-loop mission scenario testing)
• Identify, document, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues that arise 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 as needed to accomplish mission objectives
• Drive lessons learned from each mission into interface documentation, payload accommodation guides, and integration processes

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Chemical, Systems Engineering, or other relevant field
• 2+ years of experience integrating and testing spacecraft, payloads, or comparably complex electro‑mechanical hardware
• First‑principles problem solving and broad system‑level thinking
• 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
• Must be comfortable bending, stooping, and standing while working directly with hardware on the floor

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating hosted or customer‑furnished payloads onto a spacecraft or launch vehicle
• Experience developing and managing interface control documents, requirements, and verification/validation plans
• Hands‑on experience with aerospace environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC) and familiarity with standards such as GSFC-STD-7000 and SMC-S-016
• Exposure to pharmaceutical, biotech, or other regulated‑industry hardware and quality practices
• Working knowledge of export control regulations (ITAR/EAR) as applied to technical exchanges with external parties

Pay Range

• Salary range: $119,543 - $152,749/per year
• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
• Leveling and base salary is 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

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full‑time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions

Health & Wellness

• Flexible PTO policy +12 paid holidays
• 100% company‑paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer‑matched HSA options
• Voluntaryaccident, hospital, critical illness,andpet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• Family building, pregnancy,parentingand menopausebenefitsvia Maven Clinic
• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team‑bonding events, happyhoursand mission‑success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Benefits for Internship Positions

Health & Wellness

• Paidobservedholidays.
• 100% company‑paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer‑matched HSA options.
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.

Financial

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.
• Up to $4,000gross up in relocation support, ifeligible
• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team‑bonding events, happyhoursand mission‑success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export‑controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export‑controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are 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) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E‑Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E‑Verify program. The E‑Verify program is an Internet‑based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E‑Verify program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.