Is the Senior Build Reliability Engineer role remote?

No — this is an on-site role in El Segundo, California, United States.

What's the salary range?

Varda Space lists $140,333–$179,314 for this role.

How much experience is required?

At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Senior Build Reliability Engineer 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 senior candidates for this position.

Is this full-time or contract?

Full-time for this Senior Build Reliability Engineer role at Varda Space.

Senior Build Reliability Engineer at Varda Space

Joblaze summary

The Senior Build Reliability Engineer at Varda Space focuses on optimizing production processes for spacecraft hardware, collaborating closely with design and manufacturing teams. This role requires expertise in aerospace engineering, hands-on experience with hardware testing and troubleshooting, and a commitment to quality principles. Ideal candidates will have over five years in related engineering roles and a strong background in process controls and data analysis. Varda's team is composed of industry veterans, fostering an environment aimed at advancing commercial space infrastructure.

Joblaze insights

Listed today — first seen on Joblaze October 21, 2026. Last confirmed on Varda Space's careers page October 21, 2026.
This exact title is also open at 1 other location at Varda Space: El Segundo, California, United States.
Salary band is in line with the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$129,391).
Starts above 46% of 1262 comparable senior other roles in United States we track (median $144,000 across 187 companies).

Quick facts

Is the Senior Build Reliability Engineer role remote?: No — this is an on-site role in El Segundo, California, United States.
What's the salary range?: Varda Space lists $140,333–$179,314 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Senior Build Reliability Engineer 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 senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this Senior Build Reliability Engineer role at Varda Space.

From the original posting

About Varda

About This Role

The Senior Build Reliability Engineer partners closely with the design and manufacturing teams to right-size processes and controls to enable scaling the production of spacecraft hardware. Build Reliability Engineers ensure production processes yield verified, reliable hardware at rate. You will flex beyond Build Reliability to support Quality, Flight Reliability, and Mission Assurance. The ideal candidate is a responsible, collaborative, process-oriented engineer with hands-on hardware design/test/manufacturing/troubleshooting experience.

Responsibilities

Partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams to create test, manufacturability, and inspection plans for all vehicle hardware.
Contain suspect or known non-conforming product, providing guidance to quality inspectors, technicians, shop supervisors, and engineers.
Lead failure investigations in production, test, and operation; identifying and mitigating immediate and underlying root causes to reduce risk and improve the reliability of designs and processes.
Provide critical peer review of hardware during design reviews and acceptance and qualification test campaigns.
Perform failure modes and effects analyses, build requirements compliance matrix tools, and ensure adequate test coverage, change management, and manufacturability of flight hardware.
Own vehicle level deliverables for regulatory bodies including requirements compliance, functional or flight hazard analyses, and verification evidence.
Support Mission Assurance's vehicle level risk management and identification/tracking/execution of mitigations.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, or material sciences engineering.
5+ years professional experience in aerospace, design, quality, or related engineering role.
Hands-on hardware test, qualification, troubleshooting, or failure analysis experience.
Commitment to lean quality principles without compromising safety or reliability.
Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environments.
Experience generating, processing, and/or analyzing data for production insight.
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a drive to innovate and improve reliability in cutting-edge technology.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Full project lifecycle ownership experience (cradle-to-grave).
Proficiency with quality tools such as measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem-solving approaches.
Hands-on knowledge of CNC machining, additive manufacturing, casting, welding, fastening, or other special manufacturing processes.

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.

ITAR Requirements

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