Senior Build Reliability Engineer, Hardware

Varda Space Industries•El Segundo, CA

2d•$140,333 - $179,314•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Build Reliability Engineer partners closely with design and manufacturing teams to right-size processes and controls so spacecraft hardware production can scale. Build Reliability Engineers ensure production processes yield verified, reliable hardware at rate. The role also supports Quality, Flight Reliability, and Mission Assurance. The ideal candidate is a responsible, collaborative, process-oriented engineer with hands-on hardware design, test, manufacturing, or troubleshooting experience. This role is on-site in El Segundo, California. The salary range is $140,333–$179,314 per year. Level and base salary are determined by job-related skills, education, experience, and performance. The role is eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards. Because employees have 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

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, or materials sciences engineering.
At least 5 years of professional experience in aerospace, design, quality, or a related engineering role.
Hands-on hardware test, qualification, troubleshooting, or failure analysis experience.
Commitment to lean quality principles without compromising safety or reliability.
Demonstrated application of process controls in high-volume manufacturing, test, and quality environments.
Experience generating, processing, and/or analyzing data for production insight.
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a drive to innovate and improve reliability in cutting-edge technology.
Must qualify as a U.S. person permitted to access export-controlled technology without an export license.

Nice To Haves

Full project lifecycle ownership experience (cradle-to-grave).
Proficiency with quality tools such as measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem-solving approaches.
Hands-on knowledge of CNC machining, additive manufacturing, casting, welding, fastening, or other special manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

Partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams to create test, manufacturability, and inspection plans for all vehicle hardware.
Contain suspect or known non-conforming product and provide guidance to quality inspectors, technicians, shop supervisors, and engineers.
Lead failure investigations in production, testing, and operation; identify and mitigate immediate and underlying root causes to reduce risk and improve design and process reliability.
Provide critical peer review of hardware during design reviews and acceptance and qualification test campaigns.
Perform failure modes and effects analyses, build requirements compliance matrix tools, and ensure adequate test coverage, change management, and manufacturability of flight hardware.
Own vehicle-level deliverables for regulatory bodies, including requirements compliance, functional or flight hazard analyses, and verification evidence.
Support Mission Assurance’s vehicle-level risk management and the identification, tracking, and execution of mitigations.