Low Earth orbit is open for business Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
Senior Propulsion Engineer
Ground Fluids
El Segundo, California, United States | Full-Time, On-Site
About This Role
This isn’t a “maintain the status quo” role. This is a build-the-future role.
Varda is looking for a Senior Propulsion Engineer to serve as the technical authority for our ground fluid systems — the backbone of every mission we fly. You won’t just be executing someone else’s vision. You’ll be setting the strategy, writing the standards, and building the infrastructure that gets Varda spacecraft off the ground and into orbit.
You’ll own the full lifecycle of ground fluid systems — from architecture and design through build, test, and live flight operations. You’ll lead propellant loading campaigns across multiple sites, define our operational approach as we scale, and serve as the technical north star for the broader propulsion team.
If you’ve been deep in the trenches of propulsion for years and you’re ready to step up as the person who sets the direction, this is your seat.
Responsibilities
Basic Qualifications
Preferred Skills & Experience
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $133,000 – $175,000 per year
Job-related skills, education, experience, and performance determine leveling and base salary. You’ll also be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.
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. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than “U.S. Persons” as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current 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 in the U.S.)
Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.
Reusable rockets have lowered the cost of access to space and opened up a range of in-space activities. Now that access to space is cheap, it’s what we do there that counts.
From new, life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optic cables, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy and creating products that will benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
