Manager of Propulsion Systems El Segundo, California, United States | Full-Time, On-Site
About This RoleAs the Manager of Propulsion Systems, you will own the success of a critical subsystem within Varda's interdisciplinary engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for propulsion system architecture, analysis products, mechanical design, subsystem test, and operations both on the ground and in orbit. You will directly lead a team of propulsion systems engineers to own the responsibilities of the subsystem as Varda evolves designs and adds reliability to its systems through block upgrades. Your work will directly influence the development of future vehicles and capabilities key to Varda's growth. The Manager of Propulsion Systems excels in technical leadership of propulsion systems and in working cross-functionally across engineering domains, mission assurance, production, and supply chain to establish the first routine industrial operations off our home planet.
Responsibilities - Own the spacecraft propulsion systems discipline and its interfaces end-to-end across the engineering organization and product lifecycle.
- Set the technical direction for Varda propulsion systems. Expand team & subsystem capabilities through ongoing engineering developments, driving projects from concept through implementation and flight. Own vehicle piping & instrumentation diagrams, which directly define spacecraft capabilities in orbit.
- Drive, define, and map interfaces with partner disciplines. Set team priorities, remove blockers, and ensure thorough coverage across all team deliverables as the program scales.
- Lead, grow, and hire the propulsion systems team responsible for system development and operations, as well as the primary propulsion interface with GNC, software, structures, thermal, avionics, production, mission operations, and other partners.
- Represent propulsion systems in cross-functional forums both internally and externally, while planning and executing major spacecraft testing campaigns and in-flight operations alongside your team.
- Define and uphold a high technical bar by informing and applying Varda's interdisciplinary engineering standards to the propulsion systems team.
Basic Qualifications - Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, or a related engineering field
- 6+ years of hands-on experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion - including design, build, and test of fluid systems or propulsion subsystems
- Demonstrated ability to lead people: prior experience formally or informally managing, mentoring, or technically leading a team of engineers
- Deep technical understanding of spacecraft propulsion subsystems, including fluid system components, P&IDs, pressurized hardware, and propellant handling
- History of collaborating effectively across organizational boundaries and driving to multi-disciplinary technical solutions through a pragmatic systems engineering approach
- Experience authoring and executing operational procedures for ground test or flight operations
- Proficiency with CAD and product lifecycle management (PLM) software
Preferred Skills & Experience - 8+ years in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion, with breadth across design, analysis, test, and operations
- Prior formal management experience: hiring, performance management, and team development
- Experience with satellite bus propulsion architectures, including monopropellant/bipropellant systems, cold gas systems, and similar
- Familiarity with fluid systems performance analysis tools and methods
- Background in defining and enforcing engineering standards or design guidelines for a propulsion organization
- Launch site processing of spaceflight hardware, or flight operations experience
- Exceptional communication skills: ability to translate technical complexity into clear direction for your team and clear status for leadership
Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $175,000 - $200,000 per year Leveling and base salary are determined by job-related skills, education, experience, and performance. You'll also be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.
- Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
- Equity in a fully funded space startup with serious growth potential
- 401(k) matching
- Unlimited PTO
- Health, vision, and dental insurance
- 🍱 Daily lunch and snacks on site; dinners twice a week
- Maternity/Paternity leave
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)
