Principal Avionics & Harnessing Engineer - Stock Options

Telemetry Today LLC; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / Electromechanical / Harnessing) to scale production of spacecraft electromechanical assemblies. You will own end-to-end processes from harness fabrication to connector installation and actuator integration on payloads.

You will develop work instructions, define acceptance tests, and drive continuous improvement, ensuring quality and reliability across all builds while collaborating with design engineers and payload

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 6–10+ years)
• 6+ years of experience manufacturing experience with electromechanical assemblies in electronics, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries
• Demonstrated experience with wire harness fabrication, IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards, and connector assembly (e.g., D-sub, circular MIL-spec, coax)
• Strong first principles thinking — able to trace a build defect to its root cause and design a durable fix as applied to electrical and mechanical problems relevant for avionics and Electromechanical assembly
• Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and connector pinouts
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills; comfortable working directly with technicians on the production floor
• Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for Varda payload systems, including pharmaceutical processing hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished payload equipment
• Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures for payload fabrication and integration operations
• Serve as the primary manufacturing interface for payload customers, translating customer requirements and ICD (Interface Control Document) constraints into executable production processes
• Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols appropriate for sensitive payload hardware, including pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical components
• Collaborate with payload design engineers to provide DFM and DFA feedback on assembly accessibility, connector placement, thermal interface design, and testability
• Define and execute payload acceptance testing, functional verification checkouts, and pre-integration inspections; maintain complete and traceable build records
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for payload non-conformances; coordinate MRB dispositions with design engineering and, where applicable, payload customers
• Coordinate payload integration milestones with the vehicle integration team, ensuring payload readiness gates align with overall vehicle build schedule

Skills

Electromechanical assembly

Wire harness fabrication

Schematic reading

Collaboration & communication

Physical stamina

Education

B.S. in Electrical / Mechanical Engineering

Tools

IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards

Windchill

Teamcenter

Arena

Job description

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / Electromechanical / Harnessing) to scale production of spacecraft electromechanical assemblies. You will own end-to-end processes from harness fabrication to connector installation and actuator integration on payloads.

You will develop work instructions, define acceptance tests, and drive continuous improvement, ensuring quality and reliability across all builds while collaborating with design engineers and payload