Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Structures)

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

Benefits offered by this job

100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays

401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is looking for a Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Structures) to lead manufacturing processes crucial for reentry capsules and spacecraft. This hands-on role involves collaboration with design engineers and a focus on improving vehicle build cadence.

The ideal candidate holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and has considerable manufacturing experience. The position is based in El Segundo, California.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of manufacturing experience with structural assembly.
• Hands-on experience assembling and fabricating structural assemblies.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs and stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing processes for composite structures.
• Develop and maintain detailed work instructions for structural operations.
• Provide feedback to design engineers on composite part design.

Skills

Manufacturing processes knowledge

Structural assembly experience

Problem-solving skills

Ability to read engineering drawings

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Materials Engineering

Tools

3D CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks)

Job description

Company Overview

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 in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, reentry capsules, C-PICA heat shields, and satellite buses. From life-saving pharmaceuticals to powerful fiber optics, Varda creates products that can only be manufactured in space and expands the economic bounds of humankind.

About This Role

Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Structures). Own the manufacturing processes for primary and secondary structural assemblies that form the backbone of reentry capsules and spacecraft. Work with structural design engineers and technicians to drive process discipline, eliminate rework, and increase vehicle build cadence. Hands‑on role for someone who understands actual manufacturing, not just design.

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 material issues, including dimensional discrepancies, tension 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 related discipline, with consideration for equivalent professional experience (typically 3–6+ years).
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience with structural assembly or manufacturing (riveted or welded structures, machined metals, composites, or 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 for 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 aerospace structural materials such as 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 increased.

Pay Range

• Salary Range: Senior: $140,333 – $179,314 per year.
• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.
• Leveling and base salary determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance.
• Eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long‑term cash awards.

Benefits

• Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays.
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and dependents; FSA and employer‑matched HSA options.
• Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance.
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.
• 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for California mothers).
• Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic.
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.
• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up.
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested).
• $20 per pay period cell phone reimbursement.
• Relocation support for new hires, if needed.
• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner twice weekly.
• Company and team‑bonding events, happy hours, and mission‑success celebrations.
• Complimentary EV charging.

ITAR Requirements

Varda must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Employees are exposed to export-controlled items; therefore only U.S. persons are hired who are permitted to have access without a license, defined as U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual (refugee or asylum).

E‑Verify

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E‑Verify program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.