Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Payloads)
Varda Space Industries · El Segundo, California, United States
Posted about 3 months ago · $181,913- $232,444
or apply directly on Varda Space Industries's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 81 days Varda Space Industries's roles stay open a median of 81 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- Yes 81% of Varda Space Industries's roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at Varda Space Industries
- high 85 stale, 0 reposted of 86 open
- Hiring momentum
- 215 roles opened in the last 90 days ↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
- Last confirmed on the employer's board
- 2026-10-23
Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Varda Space Industries's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Varda Space Industries.
About this role
As the Principal Payloads Manufacturing Engineer at Varda, you will oversee the manufacturing and integration processes for critical payload systems used in reentry capsules. Your responsibilities include developing assembly processes, creating work instructions, and ensuring that payloads meet high standards of quality and cleanliness. You will collaborate with design teams and external customers to translate requirements into executable production processes, while also leading testing and quality assurance efforts.
- benefits
- 5/5
- freshness
- 1/5
- career value
- 4/5
- role clarity
- 5/5
- pay transparency
- 5/5
Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Varda Space Industries as an employer.
What you need
- B.S. in Mechanical, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline, with consideration for equivalent professional experience (typically 6–10+ years)
- 6+ years of experience manufacturing or integrating complex electromechanical assemblies, scientific instruments, or payload systems in aerospace, defense, biomedical, or research environments
- Demonstrated experience building and integrating precision hardware to tight tolerances and exacting cleanliness requirements
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, ICDs, and assembly models; familiarity with GD&T and interface requirement management
- Experience developing and executing assembly procedures and acceptance test plans for multi-functional hardware assemblies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interfacing directly with customers and cross-functional internal teams
Nice to have
- M.S. degree in Mechanical engineering specialized in Fluid Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline
- Experience manufacturing or integrating spacecraft payloads, scientific instruments, or hosted payload modules for LEO, GEO, or deep space missions
- Familiarity with pharmaceutical or bioprocessing hardware manufacturing requirements, including GMP considerations and contamination control protocols relevant to in-space drug manufacturing
- Background managing payload customer relationships from hardware delivery through integration, verification, and launch readiness
- Experience with ICD management and interface verification processes for payload-to-spacecraft integration
What you get
- 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
Worth weighing
- No remote work option mentioned, role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
- Salary range provided but may vary based on experience and performance
- Focus on contamination control and cleanliness suggests a highly regulated work environment
- Experience with sensitive flight hardware may be required, which could limit candidate pool
Summarised from Varda Space Industries's posting. Read the full original.
Listed by Varda Space Industries on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-10-23. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
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