Principal Fluid Systems Engineer – Space Pharma Payloads

Varda Space; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 232,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda Space in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Principal Fluid Systems Engineer on the Payload team to define and lead the development of electromechanical fluid handling hardware for pharmaceutical manufacturing in microgravity and reentry environments. You will shape architecture, guide teams from requirements through deployment and iteration for future missions.

You will collaborate with pharmaceutical scientists, process engineers, and spacecraft subsystems to translate objectives into qualified

Qualifications

• BS/BEng in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, Biomedical, Chemical, or related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of experience designing, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting electromechanical hardware.
• Deep mechanical and fluid systems expertise with breadth in at least two adjacent disciplines such as avionics, software, thermal, optics, test, precision instrumentation, etc.
• Track record leading project teams through full-cycle electromechanical space flight hardware development.
• Extensive experience with valves, pumps, pistons, tubing, manifolds, fittings, seals, filters, sensors, metering hardware, thermal-control hardware, and/or compact fluidic assemblies.
• Excellent communication skills with customer, executive, and cross-disciplinarytechnical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Define requirements, architecture, and development plans for pharmaceutical manufacturing payloads
• Establish fluid system design standards for component selection and qualification, sealing, contamination control, thermal control, and verification/validation
• Lead project teams to develop of precision fluid systems incorporating valves, pumps, pistons, manifolds, tubing, fittings, seals, filters, sensors, and thermal control systems
• Drive system-level analyses, trade studies, and risk reduction using a variety of tools (hand calcs, Python/MATLAB models, FEA, etc. as needed)
• Lead build and test campaigns for prototypes and flight hardware to characterize performance and reliability
• Synthesize cross-functional inputs from business development, pharmaceutical science, process engineering, and spacecraft subsystem teams to develop requirements for new pharmaceutical payloads
• Develop standards for subsystem requirements, ICDs, verification plans, test reports, and recovery procedures
• Represent Varda in technical discussions with internal leadership, external partners, customers, and government stakeholders
• Lead continuous improvement and incorporation of lessons learned
• Mentor senior and entry-level engineers and shape best practices

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Fluid systems

Project leadership

System-level analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, Biomedical, Chemical, or related engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

FEA

Job description

Varda Space in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Principal Fluid Systems Engineer on the Payload team to define and lead the development of electromechanical fluid handling hardware for pharmaceutical manufacturing in microgravity and reentry environments. You will shape architecture, guide teams from requirements through deployment and iteration for future missions.

You will collaborate with pharmaceutical scientists, process engineers, and spacecraft subsystems to translate objectives into qualified