Environmental Test Lab Manager

Varda Space Industries • El Segundo, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. 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. Varda is building the infrastructure for in-space manufacturing and routine return from orbit. As Environmental Test Lab Manager, you will lead the team and facilities responsible for proving our spacecraft can survive launch, spaceflight, and return to Earth. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on executing fast, rigorous environmental test campaigns that keep flight hardware moving and missions on track.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field
• 5+ years of environmental test experience on aerospace or other high-reliability hardware
• Experience with vibe, shock, thermal cycling, and TVAC testing
• Strong leadership, organization, and cross-functional communication skills
• Ability to move quickly and make sound decisions around flight hardware

Nice To Haves

• Experience testing spacecraft, reentry systems, or launch vehicle hardware
• Familiarity with qualification and acceptance testing in aerospace
• Background with additional test methods such as EMI/EMC, acoustics, leak, or pressure testing
• Experience scaling lab operations in a fast-paced hardware company

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day environmental test lab operations for spacecraft and vehicle hardware
• Plan and execute vibration, shock, thermal, and thermal vacuum test campaigns
• Partner with design, production, integration, and mission teams to define test requirements and priorities
• Build and improve lab processes, procedures, safety practices, and test readiness standards
• Manage lab technicians and test engineers while driving high standards for execution and documentation
• Own equipment readiness, calibration, maintenance, and lab capacity planning
• Support anomaly resolution, failure investigations, and test report generation
• Coordinate outside test support when needed

Benefits

• Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
• Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
• 401(k) matching (interns excluded)
• Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
• Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
• Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
• Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees