Jobs at Varda Space Industries

Lead development, deployment, and administration of engineering applications (PLM/CAD/PDM/MBSE). Build integrations, ETL pipelines, dashboards, and AI-powered tools. Improve workflows, ensure data integrity and compliance (AS9100/CMMC), support audits, and drive user training and adoption across engineering teams.

Lead and manage a crystallization screening team to advance microgravity crystallization for small molecules and biologics. Oversee screening, characterization, automation adoption, external collaborations, project planning, budgeting, and cross-functional coordination to meet development timelines and company goals.

Design, build, and maintain ground support equipment and test systems for flight hardware qualification. Integrate industrial hardware (thermal chambers, chillers, instrumentation), develop and extend an in-house PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling, make real-time control architecture decisions, build and wire control cabinets, and partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable test infrastructure on aggressive timelines.

Build, operate, and scale mission-critical infrastructure for cloud, on-prem, and spacecraft systems. Automate operations with IaC and CI/CD, run production Kubernetes environments, implement observability and alerting, troubleshoot incidents, perform postmortems, and collaborate with software and hardware teams to improve reliability and performance.

Design, build, and own ground support equipment and automated test systems for flight hardware. Integrate industrial hardware, develop and extend PLC frameworks (Beckhoff/TwinCAT/EtherCAT), design electrical cabinets, and commission systems. Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver deterministic real-time controls and reliable production test infrastructure in a fast-paced startup.

Design, build, and maintain ground support equipment and test systems for spacecraft hardware qualification. Integrate industrial hardware, develop PLC/EtherCAT control frameworks, build and wire electrical cabinets, and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable test infrastructure on tight timelines.

Build and maintain ELT pipelines, data storage and quality frameworks, and observability for enterprise systems. Support AI/ML feature pipelines, ensure compliance with FDA/ITAR/DCAA, evaluate data platforms, and implement modern development practices (source control, CI/CD). Collaborate across functions to translate business requirements into production-grade data solutions.

Develop and maintain aerodynamic and aeroheating databases across the full flight envelope. Run high-fidelity CFD/DSMC, support wind tunnel campaigns, produce 6DOF inputs and flight rules, perform post-flight reconstruction, and collaborate with GNC, TPS, structures, and mission teams to deliver flight-ready aeroscience products.

Lead technical authority for ground fluid systems across spacecraft programs: design, build, test, and operate propellant handling infrastructure; author standards and procedures; lead propellant loading campaigns; mentor engineers; represent ground fluids in cross-functional reviews and launch operations; drive roadmap and resolve complex technical issues.

Lead manufacturing processes for propulsion system production including valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel and engine integration. Create work instructions, tooling/test requirements, and contamination-control protocols. Drive process improvements, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and production layout changes to increase vehicle build cadence while collaborating with design and supply chain to resolve quality and schedule issues.

Own end-to-end manufacturing and integration processes for mission-critical payload systems. Develop work instructions, contamination control protocols, and acceptance tests. Interface with customers and design teams, lead root cause analysis, maintain traceable build records, and coordinate payload readiness with vehicle integration.

Own and optimize manufacturing processes for composite and metallic structural assemblies. Create work instructions and tooling, provide DFM feedback, enforce cleanliness and FOD control, lead non-conformance investigations and corrective actions, refine floor layouts and throughput, and coordinate incoming material inspection with supply chain to scale production cadence.

Lead spacecraft final assembly and integration: own sequences, procedures, tooling, and documentation; coordinate across structures, propulsion, avionics, and TPS; resolve interface conflicts; run readiness reviews, root cause analysis, and track integration metrics to meet production cadence.

Own and scale end-to-end manufacturing processes for propulsion hardware including valve assembly, tube fabrication, pressure vessel and engine integration. Create work instructions and process specs, enforce cleanliness and propellant compatibility, lead RCCA for nonconformances, define tooling and test requirements, collaborate with design and supply chain, and optimize work cell layouts to increase production cadence.

Design and validate spacecraft thermal and fluid systems via analysis, simulation, and testing. Size thermofluid networks, define hardware and operational requirements, support integration and manufacturing, characterize propulsion thermofluid performance, and develop data processing for ground and flight testing while collaborating across disciplines.

Program, set up, and operate 5-axis CNC machines to produce high-precision aerospace components. Develop CAM toolpaths, implement on-machine probing, design fixturing, optimize feeds/speeds, perform in-process inspections with CMMs and precision instruments, troubleshoot machining issues, and collaborate with engineering on DFM and process documentation.

Lead mission planning and trajectory design for commercial reentry vehicles, implementing 6-DOF simulations, trajectory optimization, Monte Carlo dispersion analyses, and autonomous navigation algorithms. Collaborate with propulsion, software, and flight operations teams, develop mission operations tooling, support on-orbit/reentry operations, and drive new vehicle capability development.

Perform flight safety and reentry analyses to support FAA Part 450 and range safety licensing. Produce FHAs, FMEAs, fault-tree and debris/casualty modeling, establish real-time safety limits, support mission rehearsals and live recovery operations, and deliver regulatory artifacts and Methods of Compliance for launch and reentry authorizations.

Partner with design and manufacturing to create test, manufacturability, and inspection plans; contain non-conforming product; lead production and test failure investigations; perform FMEA and verification evidence; own vehicle-level regulatory deliverables; support mission assurance, risk management, and reliability improvements across hardware production.

Lead development, optimization, and validation of analytical methods for biologic and small-molecule drug substances and products (primarily LC-MS and biophysical techniques). Execute experiments, coordinate external testing, support project planning and timelines, train junior scientists, collaborate with formulation and engineering teams, and author methods, validation reports, and regulatory documents for product development and flight schedules.