Senior Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer

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 Senior Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer at Varda, you will own the end-to-end mission success for a diverse portfolio of payloads, including both internally designed payloads and hosted customer payloads. Example payloads may include inertial, RF, or optical sensors or communication systems, as well as various types of pharmaceutical processing equipment and instrumentation.
You will serve as the technical bridge between each payload and the Varda vehicle, defining interfaces, planning and executing integration and test campaigns, coordinating in-orbit operations, and ensuring safe recovery of payload data and hardware. When payloads require special accommodations or vehicle modifications, you will work across the vehicle engineering team to scope and implement these changes.
This role is ideal for system-minded engineers with broad cross-disciplinary background, looking to do both concept synthesis as well as hands-on integration and test.
Responsibilities
Act as responsible engineer for assigned payloads from initial scoping through post-flight data delivery, for both in-house pharma payloads and hosted customer payloads
Work with payload providers to understand mission objectives, derive detailed requirements, and capture detailed interfaces in formal ICDs
Take ambiguous mission concepts and formulate executable project plans, working with other engineering disciplines to scope & implement non-standard accommodations where necessary
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external payload customers throughout the mission lifecycle (early-stage scoping through deorbit and recovery)
Plan and execute payload-level integration and test activities, including incoming inspection, functional checkouts, and environmental testing (vibration, EMI/EMC, TVAC), plus payload-specific verifications such as leak testing or pharmaceutical process testing
Identify, document, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues that arise during integration and test activities
Work with mission operations engineers to define payload flight operations, command sequences, and operations procedures, and support on-console operations as needed to accomplish mission objectives
Drive continued evolution of standard payload interfaces, accommodations, and integration workflow (documented in the Payload User Guide)
Serve as a technical resource across the team, reviewing others' work and offering mentorship to earlier-career engineers where helpful
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Chemical, Systems Engineering, or other relevant field
5+ years of experience integrating and testing spacecraft, payloads, or comparably complex electro-mechanical hardware
Experience as the named responsible engineer for at least one payload or comparable hardware element through a full program cycle, including flight or equivalent end use
Experience developing and managing interface control documents, requirements, and verification/validation plans
Demonstrated ability to carry multiple hardware efforts concurrently against fixed schedule milestones
Wide technical background with knowledge in two or more of the following topics: structures, thermal management, electronics, embedded software, optics, RF systems, GNC, communication systems, fluid systems
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Comfortable working hands-on in a cleanroom with critical flight hardware
Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs
Must be comfortable bending, stooping, and standing while working directly with hardware on the floor
Preferred Qualifications
Experience integrating hosted or customer-furnished payloads onto a spacecraft or launch vehicle
Hands-on experience with aerospace environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC) and associated test standards (e.g., GSFC-STD-7000 and SMC-S-016)
Experience working with external partners or customers to define interfaces & coordinate joint execution
Exposure to pharmaceutical, biomedical, or other regulated-industry hardware and quality practices
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