Space Flight Safety & Compliance Engineer

Varda Space Industries, Inc.; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) match

Relocation assistance

Wellness reimbursement

Parental leave

Gym stipend

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Space Systems Engineer to join our Mission Assurance team in El Segundo, CA. You will perform flight safety analyses, develop regulatory strategy for FAA Part 450 and range safety licensing, and ensure reentry methodologies are sound.

This cross‑functional role bridges engineering and regulators, guiding design verification, hazard analyses, and live on‑console operations to deliver compliant flight hardware and safe missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, systems engineering or related field.
• Demonstrated ownership of a complex engineering project from cradle to grave.
• Excellent communication with cross-functional teams and regulators.
• Experience with risk management methodologies and tools (FMEA, FHA).

Responsibilities

• Perform flight safety analyses for each mission, focusing on failure mode trajectories and debris containment.
• Execute regulatory strategy and safety cases for FAA launch and reentry authorizations.
• Complete FHA and FMEA at the vehicle level.
• Act as Flight Safety responsible engineer during mission rehearsals and live recoveries.
• Establish technical safety limits and mission rules for real-time operations.
• Deliver vehicle-level artifacts to regulatory organizations for licensing.

Skills

Flight safety analysis

Regulatory strategy

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive/regulator communication

Risk management (FMEA/FHA)

Education

Bachelors in engineering

Tools

FMEA

FHA

Job description

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Space Systems Engineer to join our Mission Assurance team in El Segundo, CA. You will perform flight safety analyses, develop regulatory strategy for FAA Part 450 and range safety licensing, and ensure reentry methodologies are sound.

This cross‑functional role bridges engineering and regulators, guiding design verification, hazard analyses, and live on‑console operations to deliver compliant flight hardware and safe missions.