Integration and Test Engineer

Varda Space Industries

• $105K — $152K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in engineering, physics, or related field with 1+ years in systems, integration, or test.
  • Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • First principles thinking and technical breadth in electrical, mechanical, and software fields.
  • Hands-on experience with aerospace vehicle construction.
  • Physical ability to lift 25 lbs and work with hardware on-site.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and lead vehicle integration and test campaigns for flight readiness.
  • Make key technical and programmatic vehicle decisions.
  • Establish and execute build and test procedures.
  • Create and manage build schedules for components and software.
  • Maintain system budgets related to vehicle performance metrics.
  • Assess impacts of vehicle changes and oversee implementation.
  • Manage avionics systems, schematics, and harness designs.

Benefits

  • Flexible PTO with 12 paid holidays.
  • 100% company-paid health insurance for employees and dependents.
  • Wellness reimbursement for gym expenses up to $120/month.
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave with additional CA disability benefits.
  • Equity incentives in a fully funded space startup.
  • 401(k) plan with 6% employer match, immediately vested.
  • Relocation support for new hires, if needed.
Full Job Description
About This Role

As an 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.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and own the vehicle integration and test campaign to validate and verify vehicle flight readiness
  • Own vehicle technical and programmatic decisions to ensure vehicle success
  • Create, maintain, and execute build and test procedures
  • Create and maintain build schedules to drive delivery of flight components, ground support equipment, and software readiness
  • Maintain vehicle system budgets (power, mass, telemetry, etc) and ensure the tools output relevant information for all teams
  • Evaluate vehicle change impacts and drive execution of change implementation
  • Own avionics systems, schematics, and harness design
  • Operate vehicles in space
Basic Qualifications
  • B.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field and 1+ years of experience (internships & projects included) in systems, integration, and/or test
  • Teamwork, communication, and problem solving in a collaborative environment
  • Strong first principles thinking and technical breadth across relevant fields (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.)
  • 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
Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Working knowledge of aerospace vehicle 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 propulsion systems, integration, and/or test
  • Experience in a production environment
  • Wiring schematic, harness design, and harness manufacturing experience
  • Unigraphics NX experience or similar CAD software
Pay Range
  • Salary Range:
    • Engineer I: $105,000 -$139,466/per year
    • Engineer II: $119,543-$152,749/per year
  • This role is on-sitein El Segundo, CA
  • Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
  • You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards


Benefits

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

Health & Wellness
  • 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


Financial & Retirement
  • 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


Workplace Experience & Perks
  • 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


Benefits for Internship Positions:

Health & Wellness
  • Paid observed holidays.
  • 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
  • $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.
  • Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.


Financial
  • $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.
  • Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
  • Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.


Workplace Experience & Perks
  • 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

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