Propulsion Development 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 offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL (coming soon).

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

About This Role

As a Propulsion Development Engineer at Varda, you will be responsible for development of chemical propulsion engines for Varda’s spacecraft. You will have ownership over designs from a clean sheet through architecture definition, detail design, build, test, and deployment. You will coordinate with teams of engineers within and external to Propulsion in support of delivering hardware that satisfies system requirements. We are looking to optimize our propulsion system for our current and future generation space vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of chemical propulsion engines

• Perform engine sizing analysis and define configuration from a clean sheet

• Generate and own project plans, including determining development milestones, critical tasking of team members, and on-time execution

• Manage definition of interfaces between propulsion hardware and the vehicle

• Develop and execute the verification plan

• Act as on-console RE for hazardous testing

• Perform design analysis as necessary

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an applicable technical field, such as Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in rocket engine development

• Understanding of combustion device design and analysis - at least 1 of the following:

• Combustion chamber cooling techniques such as regenerative cooling or film cooling

• Thermo-structural analysis

• Injector configuration selection, sizing, and design

• Familiarity with typical propulsion materials and manufacturing techniques

• Experience with spacecraft propellants

• Willingness and ability to take ownership of problems and drive projects to completion

• Ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic highly technical environment

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 8+ years of experience in rocket engine development

• 2+ years of experience as an engine lead or combustion devices lead

• In-space propulsion experience

• Extensive engine development test experience with multiple break-fix cycles

Pay Range

• Salary Range:

• Propulsion Development Engineer II: $135,000.00 - $155,000.00/per year

• Senior Propulsion Development Engineer: $155,000.00 - $175,000.00/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

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. 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

• Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side

• Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)

• 401(k) matching (interns excluded)

• Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)

• Health insurance, including Vision and Dental

• Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.

• Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

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.

E-Verify Statement

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

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