Senior Mechanisms Engineer - Space Payloads (El Segundo on-site)

Varda Space Industries, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 182,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Wellness reimbursement

Parental leave

Relocation support

Stock options

401(k) retirement plan with employer-m

Cell phone reimbursement

Competitive equity in space start-up

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Principal Mechanisms Engineer for the Payload team to define and lead electromechanical flight hardware development. You’ll guide systems from concept to recovery, working with leadership and partners to shape architecture and deliver rapid flight hardware.

The role combines deep mechanical expertise with cross-disciplinary insight, with on-site duties and mentorship across teams while driving complex, multi-mission payloads.

Qualifications

• BS/BEng in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 7+ years designing, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting electromechanical hardware.
• Track record leading teams through full cycle space flight hardware development.
• Experience communicating with diverse technical and executive audiences.

Responsibilities

• Define architecture, requirements, and development plans for multi-payload or multi-mission systems.
• Lead complex mechanism and electromechanical subsystem design efforts.
• Drive system-level analyses, trade studies, and risk reduction using modeling and testing.
• Lead cross-functional project teams across avionics, software, thermal, systems, integration.
• Mentor senior and entry-level engineers and shape best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Systems thinking

Mechanical design

Presentation to executives

Education

BS/BEng in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, or related field

Tools

Python/ MATLAB

FEA software

hand calcs for analyses

Job description

Varda Space Industries, Inc. in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Principal Mechanisms Engineer for the Payload team to define and lead electromechanical flight hardware development. You’ll guide systems from concept to recovery, working with leadership and partners to shape architecture and deliver rapid flight hardware.

The role combines deep mechanical expertise with cross-disciplinary insight, with on-site duties and mentorship across teams while driving complex, multi-mission payloads.