Propulsion Engineer II: Spacecraft Hardware & Bus Systems

Varda Space Industries, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Stock options

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k) match

Wellness reimbursement

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking a Propulsion Engineer II – Hardware & Bus Systems to own the propulsion subsystem across our fleet.

You will design, analyze, and test propulsion hardware, support system upgrades, and develop tools for data review and automation. Joining a fast‑moving team, you will contribute to current and future vehicle programs, own critical deliverables, and help ensure reliability for on‑ground and orbital operations, with hands‑on design and analysis

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline; 1–3+ years acceptable.
• 3+ years hands-on propulsion or fluid systems design, build, or test for spacecraft/launch vehicles.
• Experience with flight fluid system hardware and reading P&IDs is a plus.
• Proficiency with CAD tools and ability to author/execute ground test procedures.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain propulsion system baseline, P&IDs, and documentation.
• Design, analyze, and test propulsion hardware and components.
• Scope propulsion system upgrades on operational vehicles to increase reliability and cadence.
• Define requirements and high-level propulsion architecture for future vehicles.
• Generate propulsion performance analyses and document key requirements for cross‑discipline teams.
• Build Python scripts and tools to automate analysis and data review.
• Perform detailed mechanical design and FEA using ANSYS/NASTRAN.
• Author design documentation, specs, and test procedures.
• Support in-flight propulsion operations with senior engineer oversight.
• Dispositio n hardware nonconformances and contribute to corrective actions.

Skills

Propulsion design

Hands-on engineering

Python scripting

Technical ownership

Education

B.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA/SolidWorks/NX

ANSYS/NASTRAN

Python

Job description

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking a Propulsion Engineer II – Hardware & Bus Systems to own the propulsion subsystem across our fleet.

You will design, analyze, and test propulsion hardware, support system upgrades, and develop tools for data review and automation. Joining a fast‑moving team, you will contribute to current and future vehicle programs, own critical deliverables, and help ensure reliability for on‑ground and orbital operations, with hands‑on design and analysis