Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Structures)
About The Position
The Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Structures) will own manufacturing processes for primary and secondary structural assemblies used in Varda’s reentry capsules and spacecraft. The role spans composite layup and cure operations, machined metallic substructures, and bonded panel assemblies, connecting structural design intent with production requirements. The engineer will work closely with structural design engineers and technicians to improve process discipline, reduce rework, and increase vehicle build cadence. This is a hands-on role supporting the scaling of a complex aerospace manufacturing operation. The position is on-site in El Segundo, California. Base salary is $181,913–$262,763 per year. The role is eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards. Employees must meet Varda’s U.S.-person eligibility requirement for access to export-controlled items.
Requirements
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience (typically 6–10+ years).
- At least 6 years of manufacturing experience with structural assembly or manufacturing, including riveted or welded structures, machined metals, composites, or bonded structures.
- Strong understanding of structural static loads analysis and the mechanical properties of materials and processes used to assemble riveted and bolted structures.
- Hands-on experience assembling and fabricating structural assemblies, such as through welding, adhesive bonding, or riveting.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and structural assembly models.
- Experience writing and maintaining manufacturing process documentation and work instructions.
- Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to diagnose structural build defects and drive corrective action through to closure.
- Ability to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with hardware.
- Must qualify as a U.S. person under the stated export-control eligibility requirements.
Nice To Haves
- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Materials Science, Structural Analysis, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Experience manufacturing primary flight structures for launch vehicles, satellites, or reentry systems.
- Familiarity with dynamic and vibrational loads analysis.
- Experience transitioning structural assemblies from R&D or prototype to rate production, including tooling qualification.
- Knowledge of manufacturing aerospace structural materials such as aluminum alloys, titanium, and steel.
- Experience with 3D CAD tools such as CATIA, SolidWorks, or NX for tooling design and assembly model review.
- Familiarity with first article inspection (FAI) processes and FAIR documentation requirements.
- Prior experience at a new-space or defense prime where structural production cadence was actively being increased.
Responsibilities
- Own manufacturing processes for composite structures, including wet layup, prepreg, and autoclave or oven cure; machined metallic components; and bonded assemblies.
- Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, process specifications, and manufacturing travelers for structural build operations.
- Provide design-for-manufacturing feedback to structural design engineers on composite part design, tooling accessibility, bond joint design, and fastener patterns.
- Implement and enforce cleanliness, foreign object debris prevention, and contamination-control procedures for composite and bonded structure operations.
- Lead non-conformance investigations and root-cause corrective actions for structural build defects and materials issues, including dimensional discrepancies, tolerance stackups, and coating failures or damage to structures or protective coatings.
- Define and procure production tooling, including drill jigs and assembly fixtures.
- Refine floor layouts and product flow for structural subassembly work cells to reduce travel time and improve throughput.
- Coordinate with supply chain on incoming material inspection requirements for composite materials, adhesives, and structural raw stock.
Benefits
- Stock options and/or long-term cash awards
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
