Supply Chain Engineer - Avionics/Electro-Mechanical

Varda; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO + holidays

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Relocation support

401(k) with match

Cell phone reimbursement

Parental leave

Job summary

Varda seeks a Supply Chain Engineer - Avionics/Electro-Mechanical to ensure seamless integration of engineering and manufacturing with our supplier network at the El Segundo headquarters. You will evaluate supplier capabilities, drive DFx input, and collaborate across engineering and production to meet stringent design specifications.

Onsite role with 25–50% travel, focusing on avionics PCBAs, wire harnesses, connectors, and full avionics assembly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field (electrical, mechanical, aerospace, etc.).
• 3–6+ years in supplier quality engineering, preferably in aerospace/high-performance sectors.
• Fluency with avionics hardware at box/harness/board level.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of quality tools such as FMEA, DMAIC, 8D, etc.
• Ability to understand engineering drawings and models.
• Travel 25–50% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Own supplier quality – establish and manage supplier quality programs.
• Manage avionics commodities: PCBAs, wire harnesses, connectors, avionics boxes, and full avionics assembly.
• Provide DFM input and supplier selection for NPI and R&D projects.
• Conduct supplier evaluations, audits, and assess capabilities and quality controls.
• Define and enforce supplier quality requirements, specs, and acceptance criteria.
• Build relationships with suppliers to drive continuous quality improvements.
• Investigate and resolve supplier quality issues via root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and qualification activities.
• Keep up-to-date with aerospace industry trends, standards, and regulations.

Skills

Avionics hardware experience

Supplier quality engineering

Quality tools (FMEA)

DMAIC/8D

Engineering drawings

Travel 25–50%

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

AS9100 knowledge

ISO 9001 knowledge

GD&T ANSI Y14.5

Job description

Supply Chain Engineer - Avionics/Electro-Mechanical

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 a Supply Chain Engineer - Avionics/Electro-Mechanical focused, you'll be instrumental in ensuring the seamless integration of engineering and manufacturing capabilities with our supplier network. You'll collaborate closely with supply chain, engineering, and production teams to ensure that our suppliers can meet our rigorous standards and deliver components that align with our design specifications. This role will involve both hands-on evaluation of supplier processes and strategic initiatives to enhance supplier performance. You'll be responsible for assessing manufacturing capabilities, interpreting engineering drawings, and driving improvements that support our mission as we continue to innovate and expand.

This is a full-time onsite role based in our El Segundo headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Own supplier quality – create framework for Varda’s supplier quality programs
• Supplier-facing work specifically on avionics commodities: PCBAs, wire harnesses, connectors, avionics boxes – including full avionics assembly
• Collaborate with engineering teams on new product introduction and R&D projects, providing Designed for Manufacturability (DFM) input and supplier selection throughout the development lifecycle
• Work closely with the supply chain team to evaluate potential suppliers, conduct supplier audits, and assess their capabilities, and quality control processes
• Define and implement robust quality requirements for suppliers, including specifications, inspection and acceptance criteria, in collaboration with engineering and operations teams
• Build relationships with suppliers to drive continuous improvement of quality control processes
• Investigate and resolve supplier quality issues through root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and qualification activities to ensure supplier quality considerations are addressed during the product development lifecycle
• Stay updated with industry trends, standards, and regulations related to supplier quality and manufacturing in the aerospace sector

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related degree (electrical, mechanical, aerospace, etc.)
• 3-6+ years of experience in supplier quality engineering, preferably in the aerospace, automotive, or high-performance engineering industries
• Demonstrated fluency with avionics hardware experience at the box, harness, or board level
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a keen attention to detail
• Knowledge of quality tools such as FMEA, DMAIC, 8D, etc.
• Understanding of engineering models and drawings
• Ability to travel 25-50% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert level knowledge in one or more commodities within the team's scope (*PCB/PCBA manufacturing,mechanical machining, propulsion systems, etc)
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and enthusiasm for Varda’s spirit of innovation and drive for improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
• Proven ability to evaluate supplier capabilities, conduct audits, and drive continuous improvement of supplier quality control processes
• Proficiency in quality management systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001, and familiarity with other relevant quality standards and regulations
• Familiarity with space system components and materials, including *electrical, *electronic components, mechanical and their associated quality requirements
• Thorough understanding of GD&T (ANSI Y14.5-2009 or 2018) forchassis/enclosure and harness routing in this domain
• IPC-A-610 or IPC-J-STD familiarity

Pay Range

• Base Salary Range:
  • Eng II: $119,000-139,000
  • Senior: $140,000-179,000
  • Principal: $180,000-232,000
• 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

Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive(at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):

• 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 (immediately vested)
• $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

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 theE-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.

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