Space Systems Engineer, Flight Safety

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Varda is seeking a Systems Engineer to fill a flight safety analyst and reentry compliance role. Joining our Mission Assurance team, you will produce the Flight Safety Analysis and regulatory strategy required for FAA Part 450 and Range Safety licensing. This is a highly cross-functional role that bridges the gap between complex engineering trades and regulatory approval. From defining safety-critical verification artifacts during design to supporting live on-console operations, you will ensure our flight hardware is verified and our reentry methodologies are mathematically sound.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, systems engineering or related field.
Demonstrated ownership and execution of a complex engineering project, cradle-to-grave.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and present to executives/customers/regulators.
Strong experience with risk management methodologies and tools (FMEA, FHA, Fault Tree Analysis).
Experience with integration of interdisciplinary systems in the aerospace industry.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience with FAA Part 450, expected casualty modeling, trajectory dispersion, and/or debris analysis.
Demonstrated safety critical mission operations in aviation or space applications.
Proven experience navigating the FCC Part 25 (Commercial) or Part 5 (Experimental) licensing process, for satellite and reentry communications.
Dedicated to adopting a lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability.

Responsibilities

Perform flight safety analyses for each mission, with a focus on failure mode trajectory modeling and debris field containment.
Execute the technical regulatory strategy, Methods of Compliance, and safety cases for FAA launch and reentry authorizations.
Complete vehicle-level functional hazard analyses (FHA) and failure mode and effect analyses (FMEA).
Act as the Flight Safety responsible engineer during mission rehearsals and live recovery operations.
Establish technical safety limits and mission rules for real-time on-console operations.
Responsible for vehicle-level deliverables to regulatory organizations, in the service of mission reentry licenses and authorizations.

Benefits

Flexible PTO policy
12 paid holidays
100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents
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
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 internships)
Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible (for internships)
Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible (for internships)