Launch and Recovery Engineering Manager

Varda Space Industries • El Segundo, CA

1d • $170,280 - $245,960 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Launch & Recovery Engineering Manager, you will own and define the launch vehicle mechanical and electrical interface and capsule recovery operations for Varda Space Vehicles. This role is crucial as the company innovates and scales its product lines for more advanced mission objectives and a higher operational cadence. You will be responsible for defining launch vehicle and recovery requirements, delivering technical and regulatory contract deliverables to the launch provider per the Launch Services Agreement (LSA), defining the launch vehicle ICD with the launch provider, and managing and executing launch site I&T and capsule recovery procedures. This role reports directly to the VP, W-Series Vehicles within Vehicle Systems, Integration and Test engineering, interfacing with all subsystem engineering departments, mission operations engineers, and senior leadership. This is a people management role with direct reports, responsible for building and leading a team of engineers. Expectations include directly managing, mentoring, and developing a team of launch and recovery engineers, setting individual goals, conducting performance reviews, supporting career growth, hiring and onboarding new team members as the launch cadence scales to 12+ vehicles per year, delegating and prioritizing work, fostering a collaborative, high-performance team culture, and coordinating cross-functionally with subsystem leads, mission operations, and senior leadership.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field and (typically 5–10+ years) of experience in systems, integration, and/or test
• Prior experience in a formal or informal people management or technical leadership role, with demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineers
• Comprehensive understanding of satellite systems engineering, including all satellite subsystems
• Thorough knowledge of launch vehicle mechanical and electrical engineering interface technical specifications
• Strong familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710 requirements to include propulsion, structures, avionics, mechanisms, and software
• Ability to solve complex problems autonomously as an individual contributor or as a member of an integrated team
• Proven track record in a technical leadership role for a launch vehicle or satellite program
• Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills in a collaborative environment
• Demonstrated success working on complex technical programs, preferably within aerospace or related industries
• First principles thinking and broad technical fluency across relevant fields (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.)
• Hands-on background building and testing satellites or operating them in a space environment

Nice To Haves

• M.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field is preferred
• Active Top Secret/SCI eligible clearance is strongly preferred
• Proficiency in one or more general-purpose programming languages, such as C++ or Python
• Familiarity with aerospace hardware development practices (e.g., qualification testing, design for typical space environments, cleanliness standards, etc.)
• Background testing spacecraft or launch vehicle flight hardware, particularly launch separation systems
• Exposure to a production or high-cadence manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in Unigraphics NX or similar CAD software

Responsibilities

• Responsible for definition of Launch Vehicle Interface technical and regulatory requirements for Varda Space Industries vehicles through early mission lifecycle reviews (i.e. Design Criteria, Preliminary Design, Critical Design) leading to definition and execution of all contracted Launch Service Agreements (LSA)
• Serves as primary responsible engineer for all technical and regulatory contract deliverables through execution of an LSA from contract effective date to include mission integration, dynamics model, mass properties, mechanical & electrical interface specifications, launch vehicle separation configuration & analysis, Range Safety, FAA/FCC licensing, hazardous procedures, launch site campaign planning and integration and test procedure definition
• Chairs regular meetings (i.e. biweekly) with Launch Provider to ensure all LSA technical and regulatory deliverables are meeting their contractual commitments, coordinating any schedule impacts or trades with the VP, W-Series Vehicles
• Co-chairs specific anomaly investigations and corrective action with mission assurance that directly impact LSA contract technical deliverables to include the critical environmental test report
• Manages the execution of all launch site Integration and Test procedures for each Varda Space mission, leading a cross-disciplinary team to include parallel processing of multiple vehicles
• Develops capsule recovery concept of operations, plans and procedures, directly participating in capsule recovery operations at the Australian Koonibba test range and future recovery sites
• Works with executive management to scale launch and recovery planning and execution for an expected cadence of 12+ vehicles per year, which includes implementation of a team structure with standardization of interfaces and contract deliverables for multiple launch providers
• Performs detailed system-level technical and cost trade studies for additional launch vehicles as part of achieving an increased reentry vehicle operational cadence

Benefits

• 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
• 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
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager