Manufacturing Engineer II (Payloads)

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

13d•$119,543 - $172,673•Onsite

About The Position

As the Manufacturing Engineer II (Payloads) at Varda, you will own the manufacturing and integration processes for mission-critical payload systems, including pharmaceutical processing hardware, microgravity experiment modules, and government and commercial customer systems. You will translate payload design requirements into production-ready assembly processes, develop work instructions, and work hands-on with technicians to build, integrate, and verify payloads to high standards of quality and cleanliness. The role involves working with external payload customers, internal design teams, and the vehicle integration team to ensure payload readiness for flight. This is an on-site role in El Segundo, California. The listed salary range is $119,543–$172,673 per year. The role is subject to U.S. person requirements because employees have access to export-controlled items.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience is also considered.
At least 1 year of experience manufacturing or integrating complex, compact electromechanical assemblies, scientific instruments, or payload systems in aerospace, defense, biomedical, or research environments.
Demonstrated experience building and integrating precision hardware to tight tolerances and exacting cleanliness requirements.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, ICDs, and assembly models; familiarity with GD&T and interface requirement management.
Experience developing and executing assembly procedures and acceptance test plans for multifunctional hardware assemblies.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to interface directly with customers and cross-functional internal teams.
Physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with flight hardware.
Must meet the stated U.S. person requirement for access to export-controlled items.

Nice To Haves

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering specialized in Fluid Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience manufacturing or integrating spacecraft payloads, scientific instruments, or hosted payload modules for LEO, GEO, or deep-space missions.
Familiarity with pharmaceutical or bioprocessing hardware manufacturing requirements, including GMP considerations and contamination control protocols relevant to in-space drug manufacturing.
Background managing payload customer relationships from hardware delivery through integration, verification, and launch readiness.
Experience with ICD management and interface verification processes for payload-to-spacecraft integration.
Knowledge of microgravity experiment hardware design considerations and their manufacturing implications.
Familiarity with environmental testing, including thermal vacuum, vibration, and shock, as applied to payload acceptance and qualification.
Experience working in or adjacent to a cleanroom environment (ISO Class 7 or better) for integration of sensitive flight payloads.
Prior work at a company developing commercial space services with a direct end-user product, such as pharmaceutical, government, or research, where manufacturing quality directly impacted mission outcome.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for payload systems, including pharmaceutical processing hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished payload equipment.
Develop and maintain work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures for payload fabrication and integration.
Serve as the primary manufacturing interface for payload customers and translate customer requirements and ICD constraints into production processes.
Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols for sensitive payload hardware, including pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical components.
Collaborate with payload design engineers to provide DFM and DFA feedback on assembly accessibility, connector placement, thermal interface design, and testability.
Define and execute payload acceptance testing, functional verification checkouts, and pre-integration inspections, and maintain complete, traceable build records.
Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for payload non-conformances; coordinate MRB dispositions with design engineering and, where applicable, payload customers.
Coordinate payload integration milestones with the vehicle integration team to align payload readiness gates with the vehicle build schedule.