Senior Propulsion Engineer - Hardware and Bus Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO policy

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Relocation support

Stock options

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. in El Segundo, CA is hiring a Senior Propulsion Engineer – Hardware & Bus Systems to own the propulsion hardware across the satellite buses. You will architect propulsion solutions, size components, develop software tools, and guide tests on ground and in orbit.

You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, drive system-level analyses, and raise the technical bar while mentoring junior engineers to ensure reliable propulsion for future vehicles.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering or related field; 3–6+ years experience.
• 3+ years hands-on propulsion or fluid systems design, build, test for spacecraft/launch vehicles.
• Knowledge of flight fluid system hardware: pressurized components, tubing, fittings, seals, valves, instrumentation.
• Ability to read and author P&IDs.
• CAD tools proficiency and PLM software experience.
• Experience with ground test or flight campaigns and console operations.
• Proven ability to drive anomaly investigations and cross‑functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Maintain propulsion system baseline docs and P&IDs.
• Design, analyze, test satellite bus propulsion hardware and components.
• Identify upgrades for propulsion systems on operational vehicles.
• Define high level propulsion architecture for future vehicles; develop roadmaps.
• Generate propulsion performance analyses and share with cross‑discipline teams.
• Build Python scripts and spreadsheets to automate analysis and data workflows.
• Perform mechanical design and FEA for propulsion hardware; document specs.
• Support in-flight propulsion operations and disposition of hardware nonconformances.
• Mentor junior engineers and review technical deliverables.

Skills

Propulsion systems design

P&IDs

CAD tools

Python scripting

FEA ANSYS/NASTRAN

Technical leadership

Anomaly investigations

GNC integration

Education

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

NX

PLM software

GFSSP/REFPROP

Job description

Senior Propulsion Engineer - Hardware and Bus Systems

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 Propulsion Engineer – Hardware & Bus Systems, you will be a hands-on technical owner of the propulsion sub system and propulsion hardware across Varda's fleet of satellite buses. You will be responsible for propulsion system architecture, analysis products, component sizing, propulsion software tool development, data review, detailed mechanical design, subsystem test, and operations both on the ground and in orbit while working within an interdisciplinary engineering team .

Your work will directly influence the development of future vehicles and capabilities key to Varda’s growth. You ’ll thrive in a fast-moving environment, tak ing full ownership of your systems and rais ing the technical bar for everyone around you.

Responsibilities

• MaintaintheVarda spacecraft propulsion system technical baseline, including P&IDs and system-level documentation
• Design,analyze,and test Vardasatellitebus propulsion flight hardware and components
• Identifyopportunities and execute propulsion system block upgradeson operational vehicles, inclusive of both schematic and hardware changes, to increase reliability andcadence
• Help define requirements andhigh-level propulsion architecture for future Varda vehicles; develop project plans with roadmaps, milestones, anddrivecross-team alignment
• Generate propulsion performance analysisproductsanddocumentkey requirements(propellant budgets,pressure ladders,fluidcomponentsizing, structural &thermal limits, more)and deliver themasinputs to GNC, Mission Operations, Thermal, and othercross-disciplinarypartner teams
• Build Python scripts and spreadsheettoolsto automate recurring analysis and test datareductionworkflows
• Execute detailed mechanical design of propulsion hardware and fluid system components; perform structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools
• Author and review design documentation, engineering specs, build/integration/test procedures, and engineering memos
• Sit on console for in-flight propulsion operations
• Serve as a technical authority to dispositionhardwarenonconformances.Lead anomaly investigationsand drivecorrective actions to improve quality across the organization.
• Mentor junior engineers and serve as a technical reviewer for analysis products,design packages, and external deliverables

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience considered (typically 3–6+ years)
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in propulsion or fluid systems definition, design, build, and test for spacecraft or launch vehicles
• Deep working knowledge of flight fluid system hardware: pressurized components, tubing, fittings, seals, valves, and instrumentation
• Proficiency reading and authoring P&IDs
• Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) and PLM software
• Experience authoring and executing operational procedures for ground test or flight campaigns, including console operations
• Demonstrated ability to drive anomaly investigations and technical problems to resolution across organizational boundaries

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 6+ years of years of spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion experience, including satellite bus-level propulsion architectures (monopropellant, bipropellant, cold gas systems)
• Hands-on experience building Python scripts or spreadsheet tools to automaterecurringpropulsion analysis& data reviewworkflows
• Structural analysis experience using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools applied to propulsion or fluid system hardware
• Experience generatingand reviewingtechnical drawingsand applying GD&TperASMEY14.5 standards
• Experience with spacecraft-grade propellants including cryogenic,hypergolic, or high-test peroxide systems.Working knowledge of cleanliness, handling, and safety requirements.
• Test,launch site, or in-flightoperationalexperienceonspacecraft or launch vehicles.
• Proficiencyusing1D fluid modeling& analysistools (GFSSP,REFPROP, other)
• Experiencedeveloping& refiningengineering standards, design guidelines, or analysis frameworks within a propulsion organization
• Exceptional technical communication skills — precision and clarity in work instructions, engineering specifications, and engineering memos
• Experience managing or mentoringtechnical contributors, formally or informally

Pay Range

• Salary Range:Senior: $140,333 – $179,314/per year
• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
• 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

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

• 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 (immediatelyvested)
• $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
  

Intern Positions:

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000gross up in relocation support, ifeligible
• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

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 the E-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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Varda Space Industries’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.