Payload Systems Integration & Test Engineer – Equity Eligible

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

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.