Senior Systems, Integration, and Test Engineer
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. 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 a Senior Systems, Integration, and Test Engineer, you will have a broad role scope owning vehicle systems, integration, and test. Ultimately, engineers are responsible for the vehicle and ensuring all systems are ready for launch and operations. To accomplish this, engineers need knowledge of system design, manufacturing, test, and operations. This role interfaces with all engineering departments and Integration and Test Engineers must be able to drive conflicting requirements to implemented solutions.
Requirements
- B.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field and 5+ years of experience in systems, integration, and/or test
- Teamwork, communication, and problem solving in a collaborative environment
- Proven experience working on complex technical programs, preferably within aerospace or related industries
- Strong first principles thinking and technical breadth across relevant fields (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.)
- Working knowledge of aerospace vehicle subsystems
- Hands-on experience building aerospace vehicles
- Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs.
- Must be comfortable bending, stooping, and standing
- Hands-on position may require standing and working directly with hardware on the floor
Nice To Haves
- Deep knowledge of satellite systems engineering, including all satellite subsystems
- Experience with project management of the full lifecycle of a project
- Capability to solve complex problems autonomously as an individual or as a member of an integrated team.
- Experience with one or more general-purpose programming languages, such as C++ & Python
- Experience with aerospace hardware development practices (e.g., qualification testing practices, design for typical space environments, cleanliness, etc.)
- Prior work in a technical leadership role for a launch vehicle or satellite development effort
- Experience supporting flight test or flying spacecraft
- Experience in a production environment
- Wiring schematic, harness design, and harness manufacturing experience
- Unigraphics NX experience or similar CAD software
Responsibilities
- Develop and own the vehicle integration and test campaign to validate and verify vehicle flight readiness
- Own technical decisions to ensure vehicle success
- Analyze and optimize system-level performance metrics, including but not limited to mass, delta-V, power, and data budgets to ensure technical feasibility and operational success
- Influence and direct the vehicle by conducting, evaluating, and leading system-level trades and design reviews to drive top-level vehicle design, functionality, and ultimately performance.
- Manage the technical outcome and milestone schedule to enable the delivery of vehicles on schedule
- Own vehicle schematic and harness design by understanding and providing input to vehicle avionics, propulsion, and guidance systems
- Evaluate vehicle change impacts and drive execution of vehicle-level change implementation
- Utilize python to automate system testing and data review to increase efficiency and repeatability of vehicle level hardware health verification
- Operate vehicles in space
Benefits
- Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
- Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
- 401(k) matching (interns excluded)
- Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
- Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
- Lunch and snacks provided on site every day.
- Dinners provided twice a week.
- Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
51-100 employees
