Senior Environmental Test Engineer

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 Senior Environmental Test Engineer at Varda, you will serve as the technical authority for vibration testing of spacecraft and space-qualified

hardware defining test approaches, validating hardware readiness, and ensuring every qualification and acceptance campaign is executed with precision and confidence. You will own vibration test procedures end-to-end: from reviewing requirements and designing fixtures, to overseeing execution on the test floor and ensuring all resulting data is accurately captured, analyzed, and documented. Working at the intersection of structures, manufacturing, systems engineering, and test operations, you will help guarantee that flight hardware meets the mechanical robustness required to survive launch and spaceflight environments. If you thrive in an environment where meticulous test discipline and hands-on problem solving directly influence mission success, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

Own vibration test planning and execution for spacecraft and space-grade components, including qualification, acceptance, and development-level campaigns

Develop, review, and continuously improve vibration test procedures, work instructions, and supporting documentation

Review engineering requirements, test matrices, and environmental specifications to ensure test coverage is accurate and complete

Evaluate, design, or oversee the design of custom vibration test fixtures, ensuring they meet structural stiffness, mass, and interface requirements

Serve as the primary interface between test operations and engineering groups (structures, systems, avionics, manufacturing) during environmental test activities

Identify and resolve fixture-interface issues, test configuration conflicts, and schedule risks prior to hardware entering the test queue

Oversee vibration test readiness reviews, confirming fixture integrity, hardware configuration, instrumentation, and test article safety

Lead on-floor vibration test operations, ensuring execution adheres strictly to procedure, safety standards, and configuration control

Drive root cause analysis and RCCA for test anomalies or non-conformances; disposition MRBs in coordination with responsible engineering teams

Review and approve post-test data packages, including plots, accelerometer responses, workmanship checks, and final test reports

Track environmental test metrics (cycle time, NCR rate, fixture availability, hardware throughput) and implement improvements to increase test cadence

Define tooling, handling, and support equipment requirements to enable safe and efficient test operations

Basic Qualifications

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience (typically 3–6+ years) 3+ years of experience in environmental testing — specifically vibration testing — for spacecraft, launch vehicles, aerospace systems, or high-reliability hardware

Strong understanding of how spacecraft subsystems respond to dynamic environments (mechanical, electrical, fluid, and structural interfaces)

Experience authoring or executing environmental test procedures, with emphasis on vibration or shock testing

Ability to manage shifting priorities and make sound decisions during real-time test operations

Exceptional communication skills and comfort coordinating across multi-discipline engineering teams

Must be physically able to routinely move test fixtures or hardware up to 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and work around large test equipment

Preferred Skills and Experience

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with relevant specialization (structures, dynamics, test engineering)

Experience as a lead vibration test engineer on spacecraft, satellite, or launch vehicle hardware programs

Familiarity with full environmental test flows, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and acoustic testing

Background designing or validating flight hardware fixtures, test adapters, or dynamic qualification setups

Experience maintaining configuration control, test record documentation, and traceability in a regulated aerospace environment

Knowledge of cleanliness standards, contamination control, and hardware handling requirements for precision mechanisms or propulsion components

Hands-on experience with large environmental test equipment — shaker tables, slip plates, head expanders, lifting hardware, and alignment tools

Prior experience supporting manufacturing or test environments transitioning from prototype builds to production throughput

Experience conducting test readiness reviews, fixture inspections, accelerometer placement reviews, and post-test functional checkouts

Pay Range

Salary Range: $140,000 - $170,000/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

Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations

Complimentary EV charging

Intern Positions:

Health & Wellness

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