Bachelor's degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, or material sciences engineering.
5+ years of experience in aerospace, design, quality, or related engineering role.
Hands-on experience in hardware testing, qualification, troubleshooting, or failure analysis.
Commitment to lean quality principles while ensuring safety and reliability.
Experience with process controls in high-volume manufacturing and quality environments.
Ability to analyze data for production insights.
Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with design and manufacturing teams to develop test and inspection plans for vehicle hardware.
Guide quality inspectors and technicians in managing non-conforming products.
Lead investigations into production failures, identifying root causes to enhance reliability.
Conduct peer reviews during design and testing phases.
Perform failure modes and effects analyses to ensure compliance and test coverage.
Manage vehicle-level deliverables for regulatory compliance and hazard analyses.
Assist in vehicle-level risk management and mitigation execution.
Benefits
Flexible PTO policy plus 12 paid holidays.
100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
$120/month wellness reimbursement for fitness expenses.
12 weeks of parental leave with supplemental disability for CA mothers.
401(k) plan with 6% employer match, immediately vested.
Fully stocked kitchen with daily lunch and weekly dinners provided.
Company-sponsored team bonding events and celebrations.
Full Job Description
About This Role
The Senior Spacecraft Build Reliability Engineer partners closely with the design and manufacturing teams to right-size processes and controls to enable scaling the production of spacecraft hardware. Build Reliability Engineers ensure production processes yield verified, reliable hardware at rate. You will flex beyond Build Reliability to support Quality, Flight Reliability, and Mission Assurance. The ideal candidate is a responsible, collaborative, process-oriented engineer with hands-on hardware design/test/manufacturing/troubleshooting experience. Responsibilities
Partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams to create test, manufacturability, and inspection plans for all vehicle hardware.
Contain suspect or known non-conforming product, providing guidance to quality inspectors, technicians, shop supervisors, and engineers.
Lead failure investigations in production, test, and operation; identifying and mitigating immediate and underlying root causes to reduce risk and improve the reliability of designs and processes.
Provide critical peer review of hardware during design reviews and acceptance and qualification test campaigns.
Perform failure modes and effects analyses, build requirements compliance matrix tools, and ensure adequate test coverage, change management, and manufacturability of flight hardware.
Own vehicle level deliverables for regulatory bodies including requirements compliance, functional or flight hazard analyses, and verification evidence.
Support Mission Assurance's vehicle level risk management and identification/tracking/execution of mitigations.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, or material sciences engineering.
5+ years professional experience in aerospace, design, quality, or related engineering role.
Hands-on hardware test, qualification, troubleshooting, or failure analysis experience.
Commitment to lean quality principles without compromising safety or reliability.
Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environments.
Experience generating, processing, and/or analyzing data for production insight.
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a drive to innovate and improve reliability in cutting-edge technology.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Full project lifecycle ownership experience (cradle-to-grave).
Proficiency with quality tools such as measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem-solving approaches.
Hands-on knowledge of CNC machining, additive manufacturing, casting, welding, fastening, or other special manufacturing processes.
Pay Range
Salary range: Senior: $140,333 - $179,314/ 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.
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
Intern 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
