RF Components Engineer II

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

About Varda Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses. From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind. Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem. About This Role As an RF Component Engineer at Varda, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless connectivity between our satellite vehicles and ground stations. You will be responsible for the complete lifecycle of each RF component, collaborating closely with RF Systems Engineers to define component specifications and to either select or design the necessary hardware. Your work will be crucial in rigorously validating components before their deployment to space. This role requires a strong sense of ownership over your hardware, continually setting new standards for testing RF components before flight. Some people say that you only have one chance to fly to space so you must be certain it will work. At Varda, we believe that the trip to space and back is the easiest trip our hardware takes. We stress our components above and beyond the levels it should expect to see in flight and we investigate our failures thoroughly. Come join our team and build quality electronics that you will get to see fly over and over again.

Requirements

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field.
Open to candidates of all experience levels, with role and responsibility adjustments made accordingly.
Strong hands-on experience with RF test equipment including VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, function generators, power meters and power supplies.
Familiarity with RF components including LNAs, power amplifiers, mixers, filters, oscillators/synthesizers, attenuators, and switches.
Experience designing and integrating RF components into complete transmit or receive signal chains.
Proven track record of extreme ownership over projects, leading them to successful completion.
Proficiency with Python, familiarity with test software libraries like PyVISA for communication with test equipment.
Demonstrated curiosity and commitment to exploring foundational concepts and pursuing detailed insights with diligence.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience standing up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and driving and operating system-level tests.
Familiarity with Unix environments.
Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
Experience operating environmental test equipment (vibration shakers, TVAC chambers, or thermal chambers).
Strong project or program management skills.
Thrive in a dynamic work environment that values teamwork, innovation, and tackling challenges head-on.
Be prepared for exposure to diverse tasks and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Responsible Engineer for RF flight components, including radios, power amplifiers, antennas and filters.
Collaborate with RF Systems Engineers to refine product specifications, select or design appropriate components, and oversee the entire product lifecycle.
Work closely with Flight Software, Structures, and Integration & Test teams to document cross-functional interface requirements for a successful deployment of hardware onto the flight vehicle.
Take ultimate ownership of product acceptance and qualification testing for space environments, including Thermal, Vibration, Shock, TVAC, and EMI.
Develop test software to automate equipment, stimulate, and measure component performance, ensuring consistent flight hardware readiness.
Conduct root cause analysis on test failures and implement comprehensive mitigation strategies for flight risks.

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
Paid observed holidays (for interns)
$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses (for interns)
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents (for interns)
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement (for interns)
Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible (for interns)
Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible (for interns)