BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered
Hands-on experience in propulsion or fluid systems design, build, or test for spacecraft or launch vehicles
Familiarity with flight fluid system hardware: pressurized components, tubing, fittings, seals, valves, and instrumentation
Ability to read and author P&IDs; experience is a plus
Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, CATIA) and PLM software
Experience with operational procedures for ground tests or flight campaigns
Demonstrated ownership of technical tasks and driving them to resolution
Responsibilities
Support and maintain the spacecraft propulsion system technical baseline and documentation
Design, analyze, and test propulsion flight hardware and components
Execute propulsion system block upgrades to enhance reliability and launch cadence
Define requirements for future vehicles; contribute to project plans and milestones
Generate propulsion performance analysis products and document key requirements
Build Python scripts and tools to automate analysis and data review workflows
Execute detailed mechanical design of propulsion hardware and perform structural analysis
Benefits
Eligible for stock options and/or long-term cash awards
On-site role in El Segundo, CA
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge space vehicle technology
Collaborative environment with interdisciplinary engineering teams
Hands-on experience with real-world propulsion systems and spacecraft operations
Full Job Description
About This Role
As a Propulsion Engineer I, you will be a hands-on technical owner of the propulsion subsystem and propulsion hardware across Varda's fleet of spacecraft. You will help own and maintain the system architecture, generate analysis products, perform component sizing, propulsion software tool development, data review, detailed mechanical design, subsystem test, operations, and more for vehicles both on the ground and in orbit.
You will take ownership of assigned hardware, subsystems, and work products within a fast-moving interdisciplinary engineering team. Your work will directly contribute to the development of current and future space vehicles key to Varda's growth. You'll thrive in a hands-on environment, building technical breadth and developing propulsion system design, production, and operational fundamentals through every project. Responsibilities
Support and maintain the Varda spacecraft propulsion system technical baseline, including P&IDs and system-level documentation
Design, analyze, and test Varda satellite bus propulsion flight hardware and components
Help execute propulsion system block upgrades on operational vehicles - inclusive of both schematic and hardware changes - to increase reliability and launch cadence
Support requirements definition for future Varda vehicles; contribute to project plans, roadmaps, and milestones
Generate propulsion performance analysis products and document key requirements (propellant budgets, pressure ladders, fluid component sizing, structural & thermal limits, and more); deliver your outputs as key inputs to GNC, Mission Operations, Thermal, and other cross-disciplinary partner teams
Build Python scripts and spreadsheet tools to automate recurring analysis and test data review workflows
Execute detailed mechanical design of propulsion hardware and fluid system components; perform structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools
Author and review design documentation, engineering specs, build/integration/test procedures, and engineering memos
Support in-flight propulsion operations, including on-console support under senior engineer oversight
Disposition hardware nonconformances; support anomaly investigations and contribute to corrective actions
Basic Qualifications
BS. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline; equivalent professional experience considered
Experience in hands-on propulsion or fluid systems design, build, and/or test for spacecraft or launch vehicles (including internship, coursework, or project experience)
Working knowledge of flight fluid system hardware: pressurized components, tubing, fittings, seals, valves, and instrumentation
Ability to read P&IDs; experience authoring P&IDs is a plus
Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or other) and PLM software
Experience authoring or executing operational procedures for ground test or flight campaigns
Demonstrated ability to take ownership of assigned technical tasks and drive them to resolution
Preferred Skills and Experience
1+ year of spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion experience, including familiarity with satellite bus-level propulsion architectures (monopropellant, bipropellant, cold gas systems). Graduate coursework included
Experience building Python, MATLAB, or other scripts or spreadsheet tools to automate recurring propulsion analysis or data review workflows
Exposure to structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools applied to propulsion or fluid system hardware
Familiarity with technical drawing review and GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards
Exposure to high-pressure fluid systems and spacecraft-grade propellants including cryogenic, hypergolic, or high-test peroxide systems; awareness of cleanliness, handling, and safety requirements
Test, launch site, or in-flight operational experience on spacecraft or launch vehicles
Familiarity with 1D fluid modeling & analysis tools (GFSSP, REFPROP, or similar)
Strong technical communication skills - clarity and precision in work instructions, engineering specs, and engineering memos
Pay Range
Salary Range: $109,148 - $139,466/per year
This role is on-site in 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
