Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Structures)

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

3d•$181,913 - $262,763•Onsite

About The Position

Varda is hiring a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to own manufacturing processes for primary and secondary structural assemblies used in its reentry capsules and spacecraft. The role bridges structural design intent and production, covering composite layup and cure operations, machined metallic substructures, and bonded panel assemblies. The engineer works closely with structural design engineers and technicians to improve process discipline, reduce rework, and increase vehicle build cadence. This is a hands-on position supporting the growth of a complex aerospace manufacturing operation. The role is based on-site at Varda’s production facility in El Segundo, California. Candidates must be U.S. persons eligible to access export-controlled items. The posted salary range is $181,913–$262,763 per year. The position is eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
At least 6 years of manufacturing experience with structural assembly or manufacturing, such as riveted or welded structures, machined metals, or composite and bonded structures.
Strong understanding of structural static-load 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 diagnosing structural build defects and driving corrective actions through 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 eligible to access export-controlled items.

Nice To Haves

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Materials Science, Structural Analysis, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
Experience manufacturing primary flight structures for launch vehicles, satellites, or reentry systems.
Familiarity with and strong understanding of dynamic and vibrational loads analysis.
Experience transitioning structural assemblies from R&D or prototype work 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 company or defense prime where structural production cadence was actively being increased.

Responsibilities

Own manufacturing processes for composite structures, including wet layup and prepreg, autoclave or oven cure, machined metallic components, and bonded assemblies.
Develop and maintain 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 (FOD) 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, coating failures, and damage to structures or protective coatings.
Define and procure tooling, including drill jigs and assembly fixtures, to support production scaling.
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.