Senior Systems, Integration, and Test Engineer

El Segundo, CA

About the role

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. 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 Systems, Integration & Test Engineer, you will own the vehicle from integration through launch and improve the process along the way. This is not a support role - you will lead design trades, define the test campaign, execute tests on the floor, and command the vehicle once it is in orbit. The W-series vehicle, capsule and satellite bus, is built in-house and this role owns it end-to-end. Varda has completed five missions, with four launched in 2025 alone. This role sits at the intersection of systems and I&T - design reviews the morning and testing on the floor in the afternoon. This role interfaces with all engineering departments and engineers must be able to drive conflicting

requirements to implemented solutions.

Responsibilities Own technical decisions to ensure vehicle success Create and own the vehicle integration and test campaign to validate and verify vehicle flight readiness Analyze and optimize system-level performance metrics, including but not limited to mass, delta-V, power, and data budgets. Make trade calls when subsystems have conflicting

requirements Direct and influence the vehicle design by leading system-level trades and design reviews to drive top-level vehicle design, functionality, and ultimately performance Manage the technical outcome and milestone schedule to enable the delivery of vehicles on schedule Own vehicle schematic and harness design by understanding and providing input to vehicle avionics, propulsion, and guidance systems Evaluate vehicle change impacts and drive execution of vehicle-level change implementation Utilize python to automate system testing and data review by building the tools

the team depends on Operate vehicles in space: execute procedures, determine vehicle health, and poll subsystems Basic

Qualifications B.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field and 5+ years of experience in systems, integration, and/or test on critical hardware programs Experience as the decision maker on a test campaign – not simply supporting one Teamwork, communication, and problem solving in a collaborative environment Proven experience working on complex technical programs Strong first principles thinking and technical breadth across relevant fields (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.) Working knowledge of aerospace vehicle subsystems Hands-on experience building aerospace vehicles Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs. Must be comfortable bending, stooping, and standing Hands-on position may require standing and working directly with hardware on the floor Preferred Skills and Experience Hands-on experience with GNC and propulsion sensors and actuators Designed and owned vehicle-level design trades and/or test campaigns on a program that completed successfully Deep knowledge of satellite systems engineering, including all satellite subsystems Experience with project management of the full lifecycle of a project Capability to solve complex problems autonomously as an individual or as a member of an integrated team Experience with one or more general-purpose programming languages, such as C++ & Python Experience with aerospace hardware development practices (e.g., qualification testing practices, design for typical space environments, cleanliness, etc.) Prior work in a technical leadership role for a launch vehicle or satellite development effort Experience supporting flight test or flying spacecraft Experience in a production environment Wiring schematic, harness design, and harness manufacturing experience Unigraphics NX experience or similar CAD software Pay Range Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $180,000.00/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. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than “U.S. Persons” as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current 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 in the U.S.) Learn more about the ITAR here .

Benefits Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded) 401(k) matching (interns excluded) Unlimited PTO (interns excluded) Health insurance, including Vision and Dental Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week. Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded) 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. 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 the E-Verify program. E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice Read more Read more

About Varda Space Industries

Varda is a space manufacturing startup that focuses on creating products in space for terrestrial applications. They aim to manufacture things in space that benefit from low gravity. The company intends to make an infrastructure that harvests source materials for new products in space via asteroid mining. The company's long-term vision involves leveraging these facilities to manufacture pharmaceuticals, fiber optics, and other materials with properties optimized by space conditions. Varda aims to contribute to the development of a sustainable space economy and advance humanity's presence and activities beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Other roles at Varda Space Industries

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Job details

Salary

$140,333 - $179,314

Location

El Segundo, CA

Company

NameVarda Space Industries
IndustryAerospace
Team Size3

Funding

Total raised

$329M

Last stage

Series C

Investors

Founders Fund
Khosla Ventures
Lux Capital
CCaffeinated Capital
General Catalyst

Founders

TS

Trae Stephens

Co-Founder & Board Member

Will Bruey

Will Bruey

Co-Founder & CEO

LinkedIn
Delian Asparouhov

Delian Asparouhov

Co-Founder, President & Chairman

LinkedIn

What happens next.

No applications, no recruiter spam. Just the intro.

01

Confirm the fit

A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.

02

I pitch you to the company

I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.

03

A meeting lands on your calendar

If they’re a yes, I book the chat. You show up — that’s the whole job-hunt.