Trajectory Analysis Engineer

About Varda

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 an office in Washington, D.C.  

Join Varda, and work to finally create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

The Mission Assurance Engineer will partner with Varda’s design and manufacturing teams through the entire product development lifecycle for flight hardware while supporting the FAA and range safety licensing processes. This includes identification of key design characteristics, development testing for manufacturability or reliability, detailed acceptance or qualification test planning, mission safety, and operations. In addition, the mission assurance engineer will support the development of flight safety analyses and verification artifacts for all phases of the mission. You will use your skills to ensure spacecraft reliability and mission success.

Responsibilities

• Produce orbital analysis and simulate failure modes for commercial reentry vehicles, in support of vehicle level safety deliverables
• Provide critical peer review of hardware during design reviews and acceptance and qualification test campaigns 
• Develop, implement, and validate test and inspection processes for new and existing products and processes
• Develop and improve program by use of subsystem criticality, failure modes and effects analysis, requirements compliance matrix tools to identify failure modes and the mitigations to ensure adequate coverage, change management, and optimize effects on production
• Responsible for vehicle level deliverables for regulatory bodies including requirements compliance, functional or flight hazard analyses, and verification evidence for the FAA, FCC, or Air Force Range
• Responsible for vehicle level risk management and execution of program risk posture, execution, and identifying mitigation strategies

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years professional experience in an aerospace, design, quality, or similar engineering role
• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, or material sciences engineering
• Experience with integration of interdisciplinary systems in the aerospace industry
• Strong computer skills with demonstrated ability in a programming language
• Professional experience in a role requiring programming skills, including familiarity with MATLAB.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, materials, or electrical engineering
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and enthusiasm for Varda’s spirit of innovation and drive for improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
• Full project lifecycle ownership experience (cradle-to-grave)
• Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environment
• Knowledge of 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
• Dedicated to adopting a lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability

Pay Range

• Salary range: $100,000 - $180,000
• 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 long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
• Offer compensation also includes the ability to purchase company stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• 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.)

   Learn more about the ITAR here.  

Benefits