Propulsion Engineer II - Hardware and Bus Systems

Varda Space Industries•El Segundo, CA

3d•$119,543 - $152,749•Onsite

About The Position

As the Propulsion Engineer II – Hardware & Bus Systems, you will be a hands-on technical owner of the propulsion subsystem and propulsion hardware across Varda's fleet of spacecraft. You will help own and maintain the system architecture, generate analysis products, perform component sizing, propulsion software tool development, data review, detailed mechanical design, subsystem test, operations, and more for vehicles both on the ground and in orbit. You will take ownership of assigned systems and work products within a fast-moving interdisciplinary engineering team. Your work will directly contribute to the development of current and future vehicles key to Varda's growth. You'll thrive in a hands-on environment, building technical breadth and steadily raising the bar on everything you touch.

Requirements

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience considered (typically 1–3+ years)
3+ years of hands-on experience in propulsion fluid system definition, design, build, and test for spacecraft or launch vehicles
Working knowledge of flight fluid system hardware: pressurized components, tubing, fittings, seals, valves, and instrumentation
Ability to read P&IDs; experience authoring P&IDs is a plus
Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) and PLM software
Experience authoring or executing operational procedures for ground test or flight campaigns
Demonstrated ability to take ownership of assigned technical tasks and drive them to resolution

Nice To Haves

3+ years of spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion experience, including familiarity with satellite bus-level propulsion architectures (monopropellant, bipropellant, cold gas systems)
Experience building Python scripts or spreadsheet tools to automate propulsion analysis or data review workflows
Exposure to structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools applied to propulsion or fluid system hardware
Familiarity with technical drawing review and GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards
Exposure to spacecraft-grade propellants including cryogenic, hypergolic, or high-test peroxide systems; awareness of cleanliness, handling, and safety requirements
Test, launch site, or in-flight operational experience on spacecraft or launch vehicles
Familiarity with 1D fluid modeling & analysis tools (GFSSP, REFPROP, or similar)
Strong technical communication skills — clarity and precision in work instructions, engineering specs, and engineering memos

Responsibilities

Support and maintain the Varda spacecraft propulsion system technical baseline, including P&IDs and system-level documentation
Design, analyze, and test Varda satellite bus propulsion flight hardware and components
Help scope and execute propulsion system block upgrades on operational vehicles — inclusive of both schematic and hardware changes — to increase reliability and launch cadence
Support definition of requirements and high-level propulsion architecture for future Varda vehicles; contribute to project plans, roadmaps, and milestones
Generate propulsion performance analysis products and document key requirements (propellant budgets, pressure ladders, fluid component sizing, structural & thermal limits, and more); deliver your outputs as key inputs to GNC, Mission Operations, Thermal, and other cross-disciplinary partner teams
Build Python scripts and spreadsheet tools to automate recurring analysis and test data review workflows
Execute detailed mechanical design of propulsion hardware and fluid system components; perform structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools
Author and review design documentation, engineering specs, build/integration/test procedures, and engineering memos
Support in-flight propulsion operations, including console support under senior engineer oversight
Disposition hardware nonconformances; support anomaly investigations and contribute to corrective actions

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