Principal Manufacturing Engineer- Payloads

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. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

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 the Principal Manufacturing Engineer- Payloads at Varda, you will own the manufacturing and integration processes for the mission-critical payload systems that define what Varda's reentry capsules actually do in space. Varda's payloads — including pharmaceutical processing hardware, microgravity experiment modules, and government and commercial customer systems — represent the core value proposition of every mission. You will translate payload design requirements into production-ready assembly processes, develop rigorous work instructions, and work hands-on with technicians to ensure payloads are built, integrated, and verified to the highest standards of quality and cleanliness. This role demands both technical breadth and meticulous process discipline: you will interface with external payload customers, internal design teams, and the vehicle integration team to ensure every payload is ready to fly. If you are driven by the idea that what you manufacture will directly enable life-saving pharmaceuticals or cutting-edge scientific research in microgravity, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for Varda payload systems, including pharmaceutical processing hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished payload equipment

Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures for payload fabrication and integration operations

Serve as the primary manufacturing interface for payload customers, translating customer requirements and ICD (Interface Control Document) constraints into executable production processes

Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols appropriate for sensitive payload hardware, including pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical components

Collaborate with payload design engineers to provide DFM and DFA feedback on assembly accessibility, connector placement, thermal interface design, and testability

Define and execute payload acceptance testing, functional verification checkouts, and pre-integration inspections; maintain complete and traceable build records

Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for payload non-conformances; coordinate MRB dispositions with design engineering and, where applicable, payload customers

Coordinate payload integration milestones with the vehicle integration team, ensuring payload readiness gates align with overall vehicle build schedule

Basic Qualifications

B.S. in Mechanical, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 6–10+ years)

6+ years of experience manufacturing or integrating complex and compact electromechanical assemblies, scientific instruments, or payload systems in aerospace, defense, biomedical, or research environments

Demonstrated experience building and integrating precision hardware to tight tolerances and exacting cleanliness requirements

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, ICDs, and assembly models; familiarity with GD&T and interface requirement management

Experience developing and executing assembly procedures and acceptance test plans for multi-functional hardware assemblies

Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interfacing directly with customers and cross-functional internal teams

Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with flight hardware

Preferred Skills and Experience

M.S. degree in Mechanical engineering specialized in Fluid Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline

Experience manufacturing or integrating spacecraft payloads, scientific instruments, or hosted payload modules for LEO, GEO, or deep space missions

Familiarity with pharmaceutical or bioprocessing hardware manufacturing requirements, including GMP considerations and contamination control protocols relevant to in-space drug manufacturing

Background managing payload customer relationships from hardware delivery through integration, verification, and launch readiness

Experience with ICD management and interface verification processes for payload-to-spacecraft integration

Knowledge of microgravity experiment hardware design considerations and their manufacturing implications

Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock) as it applies to payload hardware acceptance and qualification

Experience working in or adjacent to a cleanroom environment (ISO Class 7 or better) for integration of sensitive flight payloads

Prior work at a company developing commercial space services with a direct end-user product — pharmaceutical, government, or research — where manufacturing quality directly impacted mission outcome

Pay Range

Salary Range: Principal: $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

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

Health & Wellness

Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays

100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options

Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance

$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses

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

Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up

401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)

$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly

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