Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / Electromechanical / Harnessing)

About This Role

As the Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / Electromechanical / Harnessing) at Varda, you will play a pivotal role in scaling the production of our spacecraft's electromechanical assemblies - from wire harness fabrication and connector installation to electromechanical actuator integration and cable routing.

You will own manufacturing processes that sit at the critical intersection of electrical and mechanical systems, ensuring every build meets Varda's exacting quality and reliability standards. This role demands a builder's mindset: someone who is equally at home reviewing a wiring diagram, troubleshooting a connector pinout, and rewriting a work instruction to prevent recurring defects.

The focus is on driving incremental, documented improvement for every vehicle Varda produces.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for Varda payload systems, including pharmaceutical processing hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished payload equipment
• Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures for payload fabrication and integration operations
• Serve as the primary manufacturing interface for payload customers, translating customer requirements and ICD (Interface Control Document) constraints into executable production processes
• Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols appropriate for sensitive payload hardware, including pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical components
• Collaborate with payload design engineers to provide DFM and DFA feedback on assembly accessibility, connector placement, thermal interface design, and testability
• Define and execute payload acceptance testing, functional verification checkouts, and pre-integration inspections; maintain complete and traceable build records
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for payload non-conformances; coordinate MRB dispositions with design engineering and, where applicable, payload customers
• Coordinate payload integration milestones with the vehicle integration team, ensuring payload readiness gates align with overall vehicle build schedule

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 6-10+ years)
• 6+ years of experience manufacturing experience with electromechanical assemblies in electronics, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries
• Demonstrated experience with wire harness fabrication, IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards, and connector assembly (e.g., D-sub, circular MIL-spec, coax)
• Strong first principles thinking - able to trace a build defect to its root cause and design a durable fix as applied to electrical and mechanical problems relevant for avionics and Electromechanical assembly
• Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and connector pinouts
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills; comfortable working directly with technicians on the production floor
• Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods

Preferred Skills and Experience

• M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering specialized in Embedded Systems, Microelectronics, RF or Control Systems or related discipline
• Experience with spacecraft or launch vehicle electromechanical integration in a production (not just prototype) environment
• Familiarity with ESD control practices, grounding/bonding requirements, and cleanliness protocols for flight hardware
• Experience writing or revising work instructions and MRB dispositions for electromechanical non-conformances
• Knowledge of cable routing in complex vehicle structures with thermal, vibration, and EMI constraints
• Hands-on experience with automated wire processing equipment or harness board tooling
• Background in transitioning electromechanical assemblies from engineering development to rate production
• Experience with PDM/PLM systems (e.g., Windchill, Teamcenter, Arena) for configuration control of electrical BOMs
• Prior work at a small-to-mid-size aerospace company where you wore multiple hats and owned outcomes end-to-end

Pay Range

• Salary Range: $181,913 - $262,763/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

ITAR Requirements

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).