Senior Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer

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