Senior Systems, Integration, and 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 a Senior Systems, Integration & Test Engineer, you will own the vehicle from integration through launch and improve the process along the way. This is not a support role - you will lead design trades, define the test campaign, execute tests on the floor, and command the vehicle once it is in orbit. The W-series vehicle, capsule and satellite bus, is built in-house and this role owns it end-to-end. Varda has completed five missions, with four launched in 2025 alone.

This role sits at the intersection of systems and I&T - design reviews the morning and testing on the floor in the afternoon. This role interfaces with all engineering departments and engineers must be able to drive conflicting requirements to implemented solutions.

Responsibilities

Own technical decisions to ensure vehicle success

Create and own the vehicle integration and test campaign to validate and verify vehicle flight readiness

Analyze and optimize system-level performance metrics, including but not limited to mass, delta-V, power, and data budgets. Make trade calls when subsystems have conflicting requirements

Direct and influence the vehicle design by leading system-level trades and design reviews to drive top-level vehicle design, functionality, and ultimately performance

Manage the technical outcome and milestone schedule to enable the delivery of vehicles on schedule

Own vehicle schematic and harness design by understanding and providing input to vehicle avionics, propulsion, and guidance systems

Evaluate vehicle change impacts and drive execution of vehicle-level change implementation

Utilize python to automate system testing and data review by building the tools the team depends on

Operate vehicles in space: execute procedures, determine vehicle health, and poll subsystems

Basic Qualifications

B.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field and 5+ years of experience in systems, integration, and/or test on critical hardware programs

Experience as the decision maker on a test campaign – not simply supporting one

Teamwork, communication, and problem solving in a collaborative environment

Proven experience working on complex technical programs

Strong first principles thinking and technical breadth across relevant fields (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.)

Working knowledge of aerospace vehicle subsystems

Hands-on experience building aerospace vehicles

Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs.

Must be comfortable bending, stooping, and standing

Hands-on position may require standing and working directly with hardware on the floor

Preferred Skills and Experience

Hands-on experience with GNC and propulsion sensors and actuators

Designed and owned vehicle-level design trades and/or test campaigns on a program that completed successfully

Deep knowledge of satellite systems engineering, including all satellite subsystems

Experience with project management of the full lifecycle of a project

Capability to solve complex problems autonomously as an individual or as a member of an integrated team

Experience with one or more general-purpose programming languages, such as C++ & Python

Experience with aerospace hardware development practices (e.g., qualification testing practices, design for typical space environments, cleanliness, etc.)

Prior work in a technical leadership role for a launch vehicle or satellite development effort

Experience supporting flight test or flying spacecraft

Experience in a production environment

Wiring schematic, harness design, and harness manufacturing experience

Unigraphics NX experience or similar CAD software

Pay Range

Salary Range: $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

Intern 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

Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial

$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible

Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

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

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. pers