Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Structures)

Varda; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,333 - 179,314; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO + holidays

100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and

Vision insurance

Relocation support

Stock options / long-term equity

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Varda is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Structures) to own manufacturing processes for structural assemblies used in reentry capsules and spacecraft. You will bridge design intent with production reality, working closely with structural design engineers and a skilled technician team to scale cadence and reduce rework.

This hands-on role requires deep understanding of composite layup, cure, bonded structures, and machined substructures.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical or Materials Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience with structural assemblies.
• Strong understanding of structural static loads and material properties.
• Hands-on experience with welding, adhesive bonding, riveting.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and GD&T.
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs and stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing processes for composite structures and machined components.
• Develop and maintain work instructions, process specs, and travelers.
• Provide DFM feedback to design engineers on part design and tooling.
• Enforce cleanliness, FOD prevention, 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 subassembly cells.
• Coordinate with supply chain on material inspection requirements.

Skills

Hands-on fabrication

Reading drawings & GD&T

Problem solving

Process documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Materials Engineering

MS degree preferred

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Structures)

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 Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Structures) at Varda, you will own the manufacturing processes for primary and secondary structural assemblies that form the backbone of our reentry capsules and spacecraft. From composite layup and cure operations to machined metallic substructures and bonded panel assemblies, you will bridge the gap between structural design intent and production reality. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with structural design engineers and a skilled technician team to drive process discipline, eliminate rework, and steadily increase vehicle build cadence. This is a hands‑on role for someone who understands how parts are actually made, not just how they are designed, and who is energized by the challenge of scaling a complex aerospace manufacturing operation.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing processes for composite structures (wet layup, prepreg, autoclave/oven cure), machined metallic components, and bonded assemblies
• Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, process specifications, and manufacturing travelers for all structural build operations
• Provide DFM feedback to structural design engineers on composite part design, tooling accessibility, bond joint design, and fastener patterns
• Implement and enforce cleanliness, FOD prevention, and contamination control procedures for composite and bonded structure operations
• Lead non‑conformance investigations and root cause corrective actions for structural build defects and materials issues, including dimensional discrepancies and tolerance stackups, coating failures or damage to structure or protective coatings
• Define and procure tooling — drill jigs, assembly fixtures — required to support production scaling
• Refine floor layouts and product flow for structural subassembly work cells to reduce travel time and improve throughput
• Coordinate with supply chain on incoming material inspection requirements for composite materials, adhesives, and structural raw stock

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical or Materials Engineering, or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 3–6+ years)
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience with structural assembly or manufacturing — Riveted or welded structures, machined metals, or composites and bonded structures
• Strong understanding of structural static loads analysis, mechanical properties of materials and processes used to assemble riveted and bolted structures.
• Hands‑on experience assembling and fabricating structural assemblies, such as welding, adhesive bonding, or riveting.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and structural assembly models
• Experience writing and maintaining manufacturing process documentation and work instructions
• Strong problem‑solving skills; able to diagnose structural build defects and drive corrective action through to closure
• Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with hardware

Preferred Skills and Experience

• M.S. degree in Mechanical engineering specialized in Materials Science, Structural Analysis, or related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience
• Experience manufacturing primary flight structures for launch vehicles, satellites, or reentry systems
• Familiarity and strong understanding of dynamic and vibrational loads analysis
• Background in transitioning structural assemblies from R&D/prototype to rate production, including tooling qualification
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the manufacture of aerospace structural materials like aluminum alloys, titanium, and steel in a manufacturing context
• Experience with 3D CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) for tooling design and assembly model review
• Familiarity with first article inspection (FAI) processes and FAIR documentation requirements
• Prior experience at a new‑space or defense prime where structural production cadence was actively being increased

Pay Range

• Salary Range:Senior: $140,333-$179,314/per year
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job‑related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long‑term cash awards

Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive(at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):

• Flexible PTO policy +12 paid holidays
• 100% company‑paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer‑matched HSA options
• Voluntaryaccident, hospital, critical illness,andpet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents
• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start‑up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team‑bonding events, happyhoursand mission‑success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export‑controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export‑controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. “US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet‑based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about theE-Verify program.

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.