Senior Payload Systems Integration & Test Engineer — Onsite El Segundo

Varda Space; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Senior Payload Systems Integration & Test Engineer to own end-to-end mission success for diverse payloads. You will define interfaces, plan integration and test campaigns, and coordinate in-orbit operations for both in-house and hosted payloads.

This role requires a broad technical background, hands-on payload integration experience, and the ability to manage multiple hardware efforts while coordinating with external customers and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Chemical, or Systems Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience integrating and testing spacecraft, payloads, or complex electro-mechanical hardware.
• Experience as the named responsible engineer for at least one payload through a full program cycle.
• Experience developing and managing interface control documents, requirements, and verification/validation plans.
• Ability to carry multiple hardware efforts concurrently against fixed schedule milestones.
• Broad technical background with knowledge in two or more of: structures, thermal management, electronics, embedded software, optics, RF, GNC, communications, fluids.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working hands-on in a cleanroom with hardware; able to lift 25 lbs and work on the floor.

Responsibilities

• Act as responsible engineer for assigned payloads from scoping through post-flight data delivery for in-house and hosted payloads.
• Collaborate with payload providers to derive detailed requirements and capture interfaces in ICDs.
• Translate mission concepts into executable project plans with cross-discipline coordination for non-standard adaptations.
• Serve as primary technical contact for external payload customers across the mission lifecycle.
• Plan and execute payload-level integration and test activities including inspections, functional checks, and environmental tests.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues during integration and testing.
• Work with mission operations to define flight operations, command sequences, and procedures.
• Drive evolution of standard payload interfaces and integration workflows.

Skills

Payload integration

Test engineering

ICDs & requirements

Multi-hardware programs

Cross-disciplinary knowledge

Written and verbal comms

Cleanroom hands-on

Physical lifting 25 lbs

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Systems Engineering

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Senior Payload Systems Integration & Test Engineer to own end-to-end mission success for diverse payloads. You will define interfaces, plan integration and test campaigns, and coordinate in-orbit operations for both in-house and hosted payloads.

This role requires a broad technical background, hands-on payload integration experience, and the ability to manage multiple hardware efforts while coordinating with external customers and internal teams.