Senior Propulsion Engineer - Hardware and Bus Systems

About This Role

As the Senior Propulsion Engineer - Hardware & Bus Systems, you will be a hands-on technical owner of the propulsion subsystem and propulsion hardware across Varda's fleet of satellite buses. You will be responsible for propulsion system architecture, analysis products, component sizing, propulsion software tool development, data review, detailed mechanical design, subsystem test, and operations both on the ground and in orbit while working within an interdisciplinary engineering team.

Your work will directly influence the development of future vehicles and capabilities key to Varda's growth. You'll thrive in a fast-moving environment, taking full ownership of your systems and raising the technical bar for everyone around you.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the Varda spacecraft propulsion system technical baseline, including P&IDs and system-level documentation
• Design, analyze, and test Varda satellite bus propulsion flight hardware and components
• Identify opportunities and execute propulsion system block upgrades on operational vehicles, inclusive of both schematic and hardware changes, to increase reliability and cadence
• Help define requirements and high-level propulsion architecture for future Varda vehicles; develop project plans with roadmaps, milestones, and drive cross-team alignment
• Generate propulsion performance analysis products and document key requirements (propellant budgets, pressure ladders, fluid component sizing, structural & thermal limits, more) and deliver them as inputs to GNC, Mission Operations, Thermal, and other cross-disciplinary partner teams
• Build Python scripts and spreadsheet tools to automate recurring analysis and test data reduction workflows
• Execute detailed mechanical design of propulsion hardware and fluid system components; perform structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools
• Author and review design documentation, engineering specs, build/integration/test procedures, and engineering memos
• Sit on console for in-flight propulsion operations
• Serve as a technical authority to disposition hardware nonconformances. Lead anomaly investigations and drive corrective actions to improve quality across the organization.
• Mentor junior engineers and serve as a technical reviewer for analysis products, design packages, and external deliverables

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience considered (typically 3-6+ years)
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in propulsion or fluid systems definition, design, build, and test for spacecraft or launch vehicles
• Deep working knowledge of flight fluid system hardware: pressurized components, tubing, fittings, seals, valves, and instrumentation
• Proficiency reading and authoring P&IDs
• Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) and PLM software
• Experience authoring and executing operational procedures for ground test or flight campaigns, including console operations
• Demonstrated ability to drive anomaly investigations and technical problems to resolution across organizational boundaries

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 6+ years of years of spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion experience, including satellite bus-level propulsion architectures (monopropellant, bipropellant, cold gas systems)
• Hands-on experience building Python scripts or spreadsheet tools to automate recurring propulsion analysis & data review workflows
• Structural analysis experience using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools applied to propulsion or fluid system hardware
• Experience generating and reviewing technical drawings and applying GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards
• Experience with spacecraft-grade propellants including cryogenic, hypergolic, or high-test peroxide systems. Working knowledge of cleanliness, handling, and safety requirements.
• Test, launch site, or in-flight operational experience on spacecraft or launch vehicles.
• Proficiency using 1D fluid modeling & analysis tools (GFSSP, REFPROP, other)
• Experience developing & refining engineering standards, design guidelines, or analysis frameworks within a propulsion organization
• Exceptional technical communication skills - precision and clarity in work instructions, engineering specifications, and engineering memos
• Experience managing or mentoring technical contributors, formally or informally

Pay Range

• Salary Range: Senior: $140,333 - $179,314/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

Benefits

• Consider your benefits covered for launch.
• At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work.
• Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions: Health & Wellness

• 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
• Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
• Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Intern Positions: Health & Wellness

• Paid observed holidays

Financial

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
• Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Complimentary EV charging

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).