Principal Mechanisms Engineer - Payloads
Lead the development of complex electromechanical flight hardware for Varda's Payload team.
Posted by employer 4 days ago
First seen on Joblaze 2 days ago
Last verified on the company career page 12 hours ago
What you'll build
- Define architecture, requirements, and development plans for multi-payload or multi-mission systems
- Lead complex mechanism and electromechanical subsystem design efforts
- Drive system-level analyses, trade studies, and risk reduction
- Lead cross-functional project teams across avionics, software, thermal, systems, integration
- Guide lessons-learned processes and influence payload development cycles
Must have
- BS/BEng in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, or related field
- 7+ years of experience designing, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting electromechanical hardware
- Deep mechanical expertise with breadth in at least two adjacent disciplines
- Track record leading teams through full cycle electromechanical space flight hardware development
- Experience communicating with diverse technical and executive audiences
Nice to have
- 3+ years of cross-functional project leadership experience
- Significant experience planning and executing aerospace environmental testing
- Experience leading government-facing technical programs
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance
Requirements
- Experience
- 7+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Visa
- No sponsorship (stated in posting)
Benefits
Joblaze summary
In the role of Principal Mechanisms Engineer at Varda Space, the individual will lead the design and development of complex electromechanical systems for payloads that operate in space and endure reentry. This position requires a strong mechanical background along with experience in adjacent disciplines such as avionics or software, utilizing tools like Python and MATLAB for system analysis. It is suited for seasoned engineers with a track record in aerospace hardware development who are comfortable mentoring others and managing cross-functional teams. Varda's team is composed of industry veterans, fostering a collaborative environment focused on advancing commercial space infrastructure.
Joblaze insights
- Listed 2 days ago — first seen on Joblaze September 19, 2026. Last confirmed on Varda Space's careers page September 21, 2026.
- This exact title is also open at 1 other location at Varda Space: El Segundo, California, United States.
- Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$126,887).
- Starts above 40% of 72 comparable principal other roles in United States we track (median $190,000 across 25 companies).
Quick facts
- Is the Principal Mechanisms Engineer - Payloads role remote?
- No — this is an on-site role in El Segundo, California, United States.
- What's the salary range?
- Varda Space lists $181,913–$232,444 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 7 years of relevant experience for this Principal Mechanisms Engineer - Payloads role.
- Where is the role based?
- Varda Space is hiring for this position in El Segundo, California, United States.
- What seniority level is this role?
- Varda Space targets principal-level candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Principal Mechanisms Engineer - Payloads role at Varda Space.
From the original posting
About Varda
About this Role
As a Principal Mechanisms Engineer on Varda’s Payload team, you will define and lead the development of complex electromechanical flight hardware that operates in orbit, endures hypersonic reentry, and returns to Earth for inspection and iteration. You will shape payload architecture across pharmaceutical manufacturing and hypersonic reentry testbed missions—guiding systems from early concept through detailed design, integration, testing, launch, and recovery. You’ll work closely with internal leadership and external partners, translating mission needs into engineering strategy and technical direction. This role is ideal for engineers with deep mechanical expertise and broad cross-disciplinary insight who want to influence system architecture, lead multi-mission efforts, and mentor engineers while delivering complex hardware on rapid flight timelines.
Responsibilities
- Define architecture, requirements, and development plans for multi-payload or multi-mission systems
- Lead complex mechanism and electromechanical subsystem design efforts
- Drive system-level analyses, trade studies, and risk reduction using a variety of tools (hand calcs, python/matlab models, FEA, etc. as needed)
- Lead cross-functional project teams across avionics, software, thermal, systems, integration
- Represent Varda to senior internal leadership and external partners
- Drive subsystem requirements, ICDs, verification plans, and documentation
- Lead build, integration, testing, mission operations, recovery, and anomaly resolution
- Guide lessons-learned processes and influence payload development cycles
- Mentor senior and entry-level engineers and shape best practices
Basic Qualifications
- BS/BEng in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, or related field
- 7+ years of experience designing, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting electromechanical hardware
- Deep mechanical expertise with breadth in at least two adjacent disciplines (avionics, software, thermal, optics, test, etc.)
- Track record leading teams through full cycle electromechanical space flight hardware development
- Experience communicating with diverse technical and executive audiences, both internal and external
Preferred Skills And Experience
- 3+ years of cross-functional project leadership experience
- Significant experience planning and executing aerospace environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC)
- Experience leading government-facing technical programs
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance
Pay Range
- Salary range: $181,913 - $232,444/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
Regular Full-Time Positions:
Health & Wellness
- Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
- Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
- 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
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
Benefits for Internship Positions:
Health & Wellness
- Paid observed holidays.
Financial
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
Standard company text repeated across Varda Space's postings is omitted here.