Senior Systems Engineer, Flight Safety

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Unlimited PTO

Lunch and snacks provided

Stock options

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer, Flight Safety in El Segundo, CA. In this role, you will architect mission safety strategies and lead Flight Safety Analysis for FAA regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of aerospace engineering experience, a degree in engineering, and strong communication skills. This position offers a salary range of $133,000 – $170,000 per year, with benefits like unlimited PTO and health insurance. Join a dynamic team at the forefront of space innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, systems engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience in mission assurance, flight safety, or systems engineering.
• Experience with FAA Part 450, casualty modeling, and trajectory dispersion.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical regulatory strategy for FAA authorizations.
• Conduct vehicle-level hazard analyses and maintain risk models.
• Establish technical safety limits for on-console operations.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Risk management methodologies

FAA regulations

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

FMEA

FHA

Fault Tree Analysis

Job description

About This Role

Varda is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer, Flight Safety to serve as the primary architect for mission safety and reentry compliance. Joining our Mission Assurance team, you will lead the development of the Flight Safety Analysis and the regulatory strategy required for FAA Part 450 and Range Safety licensing. This is a highly cross‑functional role that bridges the gap between complex engineering trades and regulatory approval. From defining safety‑critical verification artifacts during design to supporting live on‑console operations, you will ensure our flight hardware is verified and our reentry methodologies are mathematically sound.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical regulatory strategy, Means of Compliance, and safety cases for FAA launch and reentry authorizations.
• Own vehicle‑level functional hazard analyses (FHA) and failure mode and effect analyses (FMEA).
• Maintain Expected Casualty and debris risk models to ensure all mission phases meet regulatory safety thresholds.
• Establish technical safety limits and mission rules for real‑time on‑console operations.
• Responsible for vehicle‑level deliverables to regulatory organizations, in the service of mission reentry licenses and authorizations.
• Act as the Flight Safety responsible engineer during mission rehearsals and live recovery operations.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, systems engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience, with a previous role involving mission assurance, flight safety, or a senior systems engineering role.
• Demonstrated experience with FAA Part 450, expected casualty modeling, trajectory dispersion, and/or debris analysis.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams and present to executives/customers/regulators.
• Strong experience with risk management methodologies and tools (FMEA, FHA, Fault Tree Analysis).
• Experience with integration of interdisciplinary systems in the aerospace industry.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated safety critical mission operations in aviation or space applications.
• Proven experience navigating the FCC Part 25 (Commercial) or Part 5 (Experimental) licensing process, for satellite and reentry communications.
• Dedicated to adopting a lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability.

Pay Range

• Salary range: $133,000 – $170,000 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

Benefits

• Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
• Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
• 401(k) matching (interns excluded)
• Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
• Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
• Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
• Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

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, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

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.