Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Propulsion)

vardaspace; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda is seeking a Principal Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer in El Segundo, CA to scale propulsion production from bespoke builds to concurrent, reliable manufacturing of spacecraft systems. The role covers valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration with direct collaboration with design engineers and technicians.

The ideal candidate owns end-to-end propulsion processes, develops work instructions, and drives incremental improvements to raise build

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related discipline; 6–10+ years manufacturing experience
• Hands-on experience with tube fabrication, bending, fitting, and high‑pressure fluid systems
• Experience reading drawings, P&IDs, and assembly models for fluid systems
• Familiarity with propulsion cleanliness requirements and contamination control procedures
• Physically capable of lifting 25 lbs and standing for extended periods

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end manufacturing processes for propulsion system production: valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration
• Develop and maintain work instructions, process traveler documents, and process specifications for high-pressure fluid systems and propulsion hardware
• Provide technical direction to improve propulsion build processes and drive increased vehicle production cadence
• Implement cleanliness protocols, contamination control procedures, and propellant compatibility requirements
• Lead RCCA for propulsion non-conformances, including leak events and assembly defects
• Define tooling and test equipment requirements for tube shop operations, leak checks, and propulsion acceptance testing
• Collaborate with design engineers and supply chain to prevent schedule delays and resolve hardware quality issues
• Refine propulsion work cell layouts and product flow to support cadence increase

Skills

Mechanical engineering background

Problem solving

Reading drawings/diagrams

Education

B.S. in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related discipline

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Fluid/Process)

Tools

P&IDs

Valve assembly tooling

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.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

As the Principal Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer at Varda, you will have the opportunity to utilize your experience to scale manufacturing from a few bespoke vehicles to many consistent, concurrent builds. This role supports propulsion system production, including valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration. The Propulsion ME owns manufacturing processes for high-pressure fluid systems and propulsion hardware from tube shop operations through acceptance testing. Manufacturing Engineers are a vital part of increasing Varda's build cadence, working directly with design engineers and technicians across the full range of processes required to manufacture our vehicles. The focus of the job is to implement incremental improvement for every vehicle Varda produces.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end manufacturing processes for propulsion system production: valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel integration, and engine integration
• Develop and maintain work instructions, process traveler documents, and process specifications for high-pressure fluid systems and propulsion hardware
• Provide technical direction to improve propulsion build processes and drive increased vehicle production cadence
• Implement and enforce propulsion-specific cleanliness protocols, contamination control procedures, and propellant compatibility requirements
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions (RCCA) for propulsion non-conformances, including leak events, contamination findings, and assembly defects
• Define tooling and test equipment requirements for tube shop operations, leak checks, and propulsion acceptance testing
• Collaborate with design engineers and supply chain to prevent schedule delays and resolve incoming hardware quality issues
• Refine propulsion work cell layouts and product flow to support cadence increase and concurrent vehicle builds

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 6-10+ years)
• 6+ years of manufacturing experience with propulsion systems, fluid systems, or high-pressure hardware in aerospace or a related industry
• Hands-on experience with tube fabrication, tube bending, tube fitting installation, and high-pressure fluid system assembly
• Familiarity with propulsion system cleanliness requirements, cleanliness verification methods, and contamination control procedures
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, P&IDs, and assembly models for fluid systems
• Strong first principles problem-solving capability; able to diagnose propulsion build defects and drive corrective action to closure
• Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with flight hardware

Preferred Skills and Experience

• M.S. degree in Mechanical engineering specialized in Fluid Mechanics, Process Engineering, or related discipline
• Experience manufacturing and assembling propulsion systems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or hypersonic vehicles, including valve assembly and pressure vessel integration
• Experience with high pressure fluid systems testing, or qualification of assemblies including energetics and explosives.
• Experience with materials including metals, composites, and plastics for use in propulsion systems.
• Experience with manufacturing methods relevant to propulsion systems, including welding,