Senior Propulsion Engineer - Hardware and Bus Systems

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 Propulsion Engineer – Hardware & Bus Systems , you will be a hands-on technical owner of the propulsion sub system and propulsion hardware across Varda's fleet of satellite buses. You will be responsible for propulsion system architecture, analysis products, component sizing, propulsion software tool development, data review, detailed mechanical design, subsystem test, and operations both on the ground and in orbit while working within an interdisciplinary engineering team .

Your work will directly influence the development of future vehicles and capabilities key to Varda’s growth. You ’ll thrive in a fast-moving environment, tak ing full ownership of your systems and rais ing the technical bar for everyone around you.

Responsibilities

Maintain the Varda spacecraft propulsion system technical baseline, including P&IDs and system-level documentation

Design, analyze, and test Varda satellite bus propulsion flight hardware and components

Identify opportunities and execute propulsion system block upgrades on operational vehicles, inclusive of both schematic and hardware changes, to increase reliability and cadence

Help define requirements and high-level propulsion architecture for future Varda vehicles; develop project plans with roadmaps, milestones, and drive cross-team alignment

Generate propulsion performance analysis products and document key requirements (propellant budgets, pressure ladders, fluid component sizing, structural & thermal limits, more) and deliver them as inputs to GNC, Mission Operations, Thermal, and other cross-disciplinary partner teams

Build Python scripts and spreadsheet tools to automate recurring analysis and test data reduction workflows

Execute detailed mechanical design of propulsion hardware and fluid system components; perform structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools

Author and review design documentation, engineering specs, build/integration/test procedures, and engineering memos

Sit on console for in-flight propulsion operations

Serve as a technical authority to disposition hardware nonconformances. Lead anomaly investigations and drive corrective actions to improve quality across the organization.

Mentor junior engineers and serve as a technical reviewer for analysis products, design packages, and external deliverables

Basic Qualifications

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience considered (typically 3–6+ years)

3+ years of hands-on experience in propulsion or fluid systems definition, design, build, and test for spacecraft or launch vehicles

Deep working knowledge of flight fluid system hardware: pressurized components, tubing, fittings, seals, valves, and instrumentation

Proficiency reading and authoring P&IDs

Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) and PLM software

Experience authoring and executing operational procedures for ground test or flight campaigns, including console operations

Demonstrated ability to drive anomaly investigations and technical problems to resolution across organizational boundaries

Preferred Skills and Experience

6+ years of years of spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion experience, including satellite bus-level propulsion architectures (monopropellant, bipropellant, cold gas systems)

Hands-on experience building Python scripts or spreadsheet tools to automate recurring propulsion analysis & data review workflows

Structural analysis experience using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools applied to propulsion or fluid system hardware

Experience generating and reviewing technical drawings and applying GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards

Experience with spacecraft-grade propellants including cryogenic, hypergolic, or high-test peroxide systems. Working knowledge of cleanliness, handling, and safety requirements.

Test, launch site, or in-flight operational experience on spacecraft or launch vehicles.

Proficiency using 1D fluid modeling & analysis tools (GFSSP, REFPROP, other)

Experience developing & refining engineering standards, design guidelines, or analysis frameworks within a propulsion organization

Exceptional technical communication skills — precision and clarity in work instructions, engineering specifications, and engineering memos

Experience managing or mentoring technical contributors, formally or informally

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

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

Benefits for Internship Positions:

Health & Wellness

Paid observed holidays.

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

$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.

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