B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered (3-6+ years)
3+ years in manufacturing electromechanical assemblies in high-reliability sectors
Experience with wire harness fabrication and IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards
Strong problem-solving skills for tracing defects in electrical and mechanical systems
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
Excellent communication skills for collaboration with production technicians
Physical capability to lift 25 lbs. and stand for extended periods
Responsibilities
Own manufacturing and assembly processes for payload systems including pharmaceutical and customer-furnished equipment
Develop and maintain work instructions, assembly travelers, and acceptance test procedures
Act as the primary interface for payload customers, translating requirements into production processes
Implement contamination control and cleanliness protocols for sensitive hardware
Collaborate with design engineers for DFM and DFA feedback on assembly and testing
Define and execute acceptance testing and maintain traceable build records
Lead root cause analysis for non-conformances and coordinate MRB dispositions
Coordinate payload integration milestones with the vehicle integration team
Benefits
On-site role in El Segundo, CA
Eligibility for stock options and long-term cash awards
Opportunity to work in a dynamic aerospace environment
Engagement in cutting-edge spacecraft production
Potential for professional growth in a small-to-mid-size company setting
Full Job Description
About This Role
As the Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / Electromechanical / Harnessing) at Varda, you will play a pivotal role in scaling the production of our spacecraft's electromechanical assemblies - from wire harness fabrication and connector installation to electromechanical actuator integration and cable routing. You will own manufacturing processes that sit at the critical intersection of electrical and mechanical systems, ensuring every build meets Varda's exacting quality and reliability standards. This role demands a builder's mindset: someone who is equally at home reviewing a wiring diagram, troubleshooting a connector pinout, and rewriting a work instruction to prevent recurring defects. The focus is on driving incremental, documented improvement for every vehicle Varda produces. Responsibilities
Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for Varda payload systems, including pharmaceutical processing hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished payload equipment
Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures for payload fabrication and integration operations
Serve as the primary manufacturing interface for payload customers, translating customer requirements and ICD (Interface Control Document) constraints into executable production processes
Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols appropriate for sensitive payload hardware, including pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical components
Collaborate with payload design engineers to provide DFM and DFA feedback on assembly accessibility, connector placement, thermal interface design, and testability
Define and execute payload acceptance testing, functional verification checkouts, and pre-integration inspections; maintain complete and traceable build records
Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for payload non-conformances; coordinate MRB dispositions with design engineering and, where applicable, payload customers
Coordinate payload integration milestones with the vehicle integration team, ensuring payload readiness gates align with overall vehicle build schedule
Basic Qualifications
B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 3-6+ years)
3+ years of experience manufacturing experience with electromechanical assemblies in electronics, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries
Demonstrated experience with wire harness fabrication, IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards, and connector assembly (e.g., D-sub, circular MIL-spec, coax)
Strong first principles thinking - able to trace a build defect to its root cause and design a durable fix as applied to electrical and mechanical problems relevant for avionics and Electromechanical assembly
Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and connector pinouts
Excellent collaboration and communication skills; comfortable working directly with technicians on the production floor
Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods
Preferred Skills and Experience
M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering specialized in Embedded Systems, Microelectronics, RF or Control Systems or related discipline
Experience with spacecraft or launch vehicle electromechanical integration in a production (not just prototype) environment
Familiarity with ESD control practices, grounding/bonding requirements, and cleanliness protocols for flight hardware
Experience writing or revising work instructions and MRB dispositions for electromechanical non-conformances
Knowledge of cable routing in complex vehicle structures with thermal, vibration, and EMI constraints
Hands-on experience with automated wire processing equipment or harness board tooling
Background in transitioning electromechanical assemblies from engineering development to rate production
Experience with PDM/PLM systems (e.g., Windchill, Teamcenter, Arena) for configuration control of electrical BOMs
Prior work at a small-to-mid-size aerospace company where you wore multiple hats and owned outcomes end-to-end
Pay Range
Salary Range: $140,333 - $202,703/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
ITAR Requirements
Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
"US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).
