Senior Space Systems Engineer, Flight Safety
Join Varda as a Senior Space Systems Engineer to lead mission safety and reentry compliance in a pioneering space startup.
Posted by employer 3 days ago
First seen on Joblaze 2 days ago
Last verified on the company career page 6 hours ago
What you'll build
- Own the technical regulatory strategy for FAA launch and reentry authorizations
- Own vehicle-level functional hazard analyses and failure mode and effect analyses
- Maintain Expected Casualty and debris risk models
- Establish technical safety limits and mission rules for operations
- Act as the Flight Safety responsible engineer during mission operations
Must have
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, systems engineering or related field
- Minimum 5 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience
- Demonstrated experience with FAA Part 450
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong experience with risk management methodologies
Nice to have
- Demonstrated safety critical mission operations in aviation or space applications
- Proven experience navigating the FCC Part 25 or Part 5 licensing process
- Dedicated to adopting a lean approach to quality
Requirements
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Visa
- No sponsorship (stated in posting)
Benefits
Joblaze summary
The Senior Space Systems Engineer at Varda Space focuses on ensuring mission safety and compliance for flight operations, leading the development of safety analyses and regulatory strategies for launch and reentry. This role requires expertise in FAA regulations, risk management methodologies, and interdisciplinary systems integration, making it suitable for candidates with significant aerospace engineering experience, particularly in mission assurance or flight safety. Varda's team comprises veterans from leading aerospace companies, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at advancing commercial space infrastructure.
Joblaze insights
- Listed 2 days ago — first seen on Joblaze October 3, 2026. Last confirmed on Varda Space's careers page October 5, 2026.
- Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$126,887).
- Starts above 47% of 1254 comparable senior other roles in United States we track (median $143,000 across 188 companies).
Quick facts
- Is the Senior Space Systems Engineer, Flight Safety 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 Space Systems Engineer, Flight Safety 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 Space Systems Engineer, Flight Safety role at Varda Space.
From the original posting
About Varda
About This Role
Varda is seeking a Senior Space Systems Engineer to serve as the primary architect for mission safety and reentry compliance. Joining our Mission Assurance team, you will lead the development of the Flight Safety Analysis and the regulatory strategy required for FAA Part 450 and Range Safety licensing. This is a highly cross-functional role that bridges the gap between complex engineering trades and regulatory approval. From defining safety-critical verification artifacts during design to supporting live on-console operations, you will ensure our flight hardware is verified and our reentry methodologies are mathematically sound.
Responsibilities
- Own the technical regulatory strategy, Means of Compliance, and safety cases for FAA launch and reentry authorizations.
- Own vehicle-level functional hazard analyses (FHA) and failure mode and effect analyses (FMEA).
- Maintain Expected Casualty and debris risk models to ensure all mission phases meet regulatory safety thresholds.
- Establish technical safety limits and mission rules for real-time on-console operations.
- Responsible for vehicle-level deliverables to regulatory organizations, in the service of mission reentry licenses and authorizations.
- Act as the Flight Safety responsible engineer during mission rehearsals and live recovery operations.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, systems engineering or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience, with a previous role involving mission assurance, fight safety, or a senior systems engineering role.
- Demonstrated experience with FAA Part 450, expected casualty modeling, trajectory dispersion, and/or debris analysis.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and present to executives/customers/regulators.
- Strong experience with risk management methodologies and tools (FMEA, FHA, Fault Tree Analysis).
- Experience with integration of interdisciplinary systems in the aerospace industry.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Demonstrated safety critical mission operations in aviation or space applications.
- Proven experience navigating the FCC Part 25 (Commercial) or Part 5 (Experimental) licensing process, for satellite and reentry communications.
- Dedicated to adopting a lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability.
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
Standard company text repeated across Varda Space's postings is omitted here.