Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Integration)

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

2d•$181,913 - $262,763•Onsite

About The Position

Varda Space Industries is hiring a Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Integration) to orchestrate spacecraft final assembly. The role owns the processes, sequence, and documentation that bring subsystems together into a complete, flight-ready vehicle, from subassembly mating through final closeout and acceptance. It works at the interface of structures, propulsion, avionics, and thermal protection systems (TPS), ensuring integration is performed accurately, safely, and on schedule. The position requires strong situational awareness, disciplined process execution, and the ability to resolve subsystem conflicts on the production floor. The role is based on-site in El Segundo, California. Salary is $181,913–$262,763 per year. The employee will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards. Due to access to export-controlled items, Varda’s policy is to hire only U.S. persons permitted to access its technology without an export license.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical or Systems Engineering or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience is considered, typically 6–10+ years.
At least 6 years of experience in vehicle or system-level integration roles or final assembly within aerospace, defense, robotics, or similar industries.
Strong understanding of how mechanical, electrical, and fluid subsystems interface within a vehicle assembly.
Experience developing and executing complex assembly or integration procedures.
Ability to manage competing priorities and make sound, real-time decisions on the production floor.
Exceptional communication and coordination skills across multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to regularly lift 25 pounds, bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with flight hardware.

Nice To Haves

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering specializing in Embedded Systems, Mechatronics, Control Theory, or a similar or related discipline; equivalent professional experience is considered.
Experience as a lead integration engineer or integration manufacturing engineer on a launch vehicle, satellite, or spacecraft program.
Familiarity with integration and test flows for complex aerospace vehicles, including functional testing at each integration milestone.
Background managing integration of flight hardware from multiple subsystem suppliers or internal teams into a single vehicle.
Experience with configuration management and build record documentation in a regulated aerospace environment.
Knowledge of cleanliness and contamination control requirements for propulsion, optical, or precision mechanism integration.
Hands-on vehicle-handling experience with cranes, slings, rotation fixtures, and precision alignment tooling.
Prior work in a manufacturing environment scaling from unit builds to concurrent production of multiple vehicles.
Experience conducting integration readiness reviews, pre-mate inspections, and post-integration functional checkouts.

Responsibilities

Own spacecraft integration sequences and procedures from subassembly mating through final vehicle closeout and acceptance.
Develop, maintain, and continuously improve assembly travelers and integration work instructions that correctly sequence subsystem interfaces.
Serve as the primary interface between manufacturing and engineering disciplines, including structures, propulsion, avionics, and TPS, during vehicle integration.
Identify and resolve interface conflicts, clearance issues, and assembly sequence problems before they affect the build schedule.
Lead integration readiness reviews and ensure pre-integration checkpoints—including cleanliness, FOD sweeps, torque records, and pin-to-pin checks—are completed and documented.
Drive root cause analysis and RCCA for integration non-conformances, and disposition MRBs in coordination with design engineering.
Track integration metrics, including planned versus actual cycle time, NCR rates, and rework hours, and implement improvements to meet cadence goals.
Define tooling and lifting/handling equipment requirements for safe vehicle integration operations.