Principal Structural Manufacturing Engineer — Spacecraft

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

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA is hiring a Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Structures) to own the manufacturing processes for primary and secondary structural assemblies of reentry capsules and spacecraft.

You will bridge structural design intent and production reality, working with engineers and technicians to drive process discipline, tooling, and floor layouts that scale production while maintaining quality and safety.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical or Materials Engineering, or equivalent experience (6–10+ years).
• 6+ years of manufacturing experience with structural assemblies.
• Knowledge of structural static loads and material properties.
• Hands-on experience assembling structures (welding, bonding, riveting).
• Ability to read engineering drawings and GD&T callouts.
• Experience writing process documentation.
• Strong problem-solving skills; diagnose defects and drive corrective action.
• Physically able to lift 25 lbs and stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing processes for composite structures and metal components.
• Develop and maintain work instructions and travelers for all structural build operations.
• Provide DFM feedback to engineers on design, tooling, bond joints.
• Enforce cleanliness and contamination control procedures.
• Lead non-conformance investigations and corrective actions.
• Define and procure tooling to support production scaling.
• Refine floor layouts and product flow for structural subassembly cells.
• Coordinate with supply chain on material inspection requirements.

Skills

Riveted structures

Welded structures

Composites

Bonded structures

Engineering drawings

GD&T interpretation

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Materials Engineering

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Materials/Structural)

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA is hiring a Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Structures) to own the manufacturing processes for primary and secondary structural assemblies of reentry capsules and spacecraft.

You will bridge structural design intent and production reality, working with engineers and technicians to drive process discipline, tooling, and floor layouts that scale production while maintaining quality and safety.