Senior Propulsion Engineer – Fluid Components (Spacecraft)

Varda Space Industries, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term cash awards

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Propulsion Engineer- Components to design, qualify, and own propulsion components for the W-Series bus.

You will interface with propulsion, structures, production, and avionics teams to ensure reliability and flight readiness, including liaising with suppliers and leading in-house design transitions. The role involves hands-on test stand development, production floor support, and occasional supplier visits, with a focus on improving

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years hands-on experience designing, qualifying, or owning fluid components for spacecraft or high-pressure hardware.
• Understanding of sealing, force balance, spring sizing, friction, flow paths, materials compatibility.
• Mechanical design with CAD, GD&T per ASME Y14.5, tolerance analysis.
• Willingness to travel to suppliers/test sites (<10%).

Responsibilities

• Own a significant portion of the propulsion component portfolio from requirements to flight.
• Design Varda-owned propulsion components with CAD drawings and tolerances.
• Source and qualify purchased components; lead with suppliers and drive corrective action.
• Lead ATP/QTP campaigns and document test results clearly.
• Support vehicle build, integration, test, and flight operations; disposition nonconformances.
• Represent components in design reviews and maintain knowledge base and lessons learned.
• Mentor engineers and help set propulsion design and test standards.

Skills

Propulsion components

CAD design

Technical ownership

Education

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

PLM software

CMM

Job description

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Propulsion Engineer- Components to design, qualify, and own propulsion components for the W-Series bus.

You will interface with propulsion, structures, production, and avionics teams to ensure reliability and flight readiness, including liaising with suppliers and leading in-house design transitions. The role involves hands-on test stand development, production floor support, and occasional supplier visits, with a focus on improving