Space Hardware Reliability Engineer II

Vardaspace; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Relocation assistance

Stock options or incentives

Wellness reimbursement

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Hardware Build Reliability Engineer II to scale spacecraft hardware production, partnering with design and manufacturing to create test plans and ensure manufacturability and reliability across builds.

The role includes leading failure investigations, performing FMEA, and supporting regulatory deliverables to improve safety and mission assurance in a fast‑growing space startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, or materials engineering.
• Minimum 3+ years in aerospace, design, quality, or related engineering role.
• Hands-on hardware test, qualification, troubleshooting, or failure analysis experience.
• Commitment to lean quality principles without compromising safety or reliability.
• Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environments.
• Experience generating, processing, and analyzing data for production insight.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a drive to innovate and improve reliability in cutting-edge technology.

Responsibilities

• Partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams to create test, manufacturability, and inspection plans for vehicle hardware.
• Contain suspect or known non-conforming product and guide quality inspectors and technicians.
• Lead failure investigations in production, test, and operation; identify root causes to reduce risk and improve designs.
• Provide peer review of hardware during design reviews and acceptance and qualification test campaigns.
• Perform FMEA, build requirements compliance matrix tools, and ensure adequate test coverage and change management.
• Own vehicle-level deliverables for regulatory compliance, functional or flight hazard analyses, and verification evidence.
• Support Mission Assurance's vehicle level risk management and mitigations.

Skills

Hands-on hardware test

Data analysis

Process controls

Collaborative teamwork

Lean quality principles

Aerospace engineering

Reliability engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, or material sciences engineering

Tools

Measurement systems analysis (MSA)

Design of Experiments (DOE)

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

PFMEA

Control plans

APQP

Metrology

CNC machining

Additive manufacturing

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Hardware Build Reliability Engineer II to scale spacecraft hardware production, partnering with design and manufacturing to create test plans and ensure manufacturability and reliability across builds.

The role includes leading failure investigations, performing FMEA, and supporting regulatory deliverables to improve safety and mission assurance in a fast‑growing space startup.