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Varda Space Industries•El Segundo, CA

18h•$140,333 - $232,444•Onsite

About The Position

As an Electromechanical Manufacturing Engineer at Varda, you will play a pivotal role in scaling the production of our spacecraft's electromechanical assemblies — from wire harness fabrication and connector installation to electromechanical actuator integration and cable routing. You will own manufacturing processes that sit at the critical intersection of electrical and mechanical systems, ensuring every build meets Varda's exacting quality and reliability standards. This role demands a builder's mindset: someone who is equally at home reviewing a wiring diagram, troubleshooting a connector pinout, and rewriting a work instruction to prevent recurring defects. The focus is on driving incremental, documented improvement for every vehicle Varda produces. This role is open at the Senior and Principal level, with levels determined based on candidate experience.

Requirements

B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 3–10+ years)
3+ years of experience manufacturing experience with electromechanical assemblies in electronics, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries
Demonstrated experience with wire harness fabrication, IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards, and connector assembly (e.g., D-sub, circular MIL-spec, coax)
Strong first principles thinking — able to trace a build defect to its root cause and design a durable fix as applied to electrical and mechanical problems relevant for avionics and Electromechanical assembly
Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and connector pinouts
Excellent collaboration and communication skills; comfortable working directly with technicians on the production floor
Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods

Nice To Haves

M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering specialized in Embedded Systems, Microelectronics, RF or Control Systems or related discipline (typically 3–10+ years)
Experience with spacecraft or launch vehicle electromechanical integration in a production (not just prototype) environment
Familiarity with ESD control practices, grounding/bonding requirements, and cleanliness protocols for flight hardware
Experience writing or revising work instructions and MRB dispositions for electromechanical non-conformances
Knowledge of cable routing in complex vehicle structures with thermal, vibration, and EMI constraints
Hands-on experience with automated wire processing equipment or harness board tooling
Background in transitioning electromechanical assemblies from engineering development to rate production
Experience with PDM/PLM systems (e.g., Windchill, Teamcenter, Arena) for configuration control of electrical BOMs
Prior work at a small-to-mid-size aerospace company where you wore multiple hats and owned outcomes end-to-end

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for Varda payload systems, including pharmaceutical processing hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished payload equipment
Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures for payload fabrication and integration operations
Serve as the primary manufacturing interface for payload customers, translating customer requirements and ICD (Interface Control Document) constraints into executable production processes
Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols appropriate 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; maintain complete and 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, ensuring payload readiness gates align with overall vehicle build schedule

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
Dog-friendly office space