Varda Space Industries
Mechanisms Engineer - Payloads
About this role
Varda seeks a Mechanisms Engineer to design and deliver flight-ready electromechanical payloads for in-orbit pharmaceutical processing and hypersonic reentry missions. You will own hardware across the full lifecycle—from concept through build, test, launch, and recovery—while collaborating with thermal, avionics, software, and integration teams.
What you'll do
- Own payload hardware development from concept through design, build, test, launch, and recovery
- Design mechanisms, structures, thermal/fluid interfaces, and electromechanical assemblies for spaceflight
- Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analyses using hand calculations, models, and FEA tools
- Build, instrument, and test prototypes and flight-qualified hardware
- Coordinate interfaces and compatibility with avionics, software, thermal, and systems teams
- Generate technical documentation including requirements, ICDs, procedures, and test reports
What they're looking for
- Mechanical design and electromechanical integration
- Structural analysis and finite element analysis (FEA)
- Thermal and fluid dynamics fundamentals
- CAD software (NX preferred)
- Aerospace hardware testing (vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC)
- Technical communication across disciplines
- Hands-on prototyping and troubleshooting
- Mission-critical documentation and procedures
Benefits
- Stock options and/or long-term cash awards
- Health and financial wellness coverage
- On-site position in El Segundo, CA with facility access
- Work on hardware that launches to orbit and returns to Earth
- Collaborative environment with SpaceX and Blue Origin veterans
- Continuous learning across thermal, fluids, avionics, and software domains
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Varda Space Industries
Varda Space Industries builds commercial spacecraft and orbital manufacturing systems for missions in low Earth orbit, including reentry capsules and satellite buses. The company is hiring mission operations engineers, software engineers (ground segment, flight, and embedded), and manufacturing engineers to develop mission-critical systems, operational infrastructure, and scalable production capabilities.
- Website
- varda.com
Likely interview questions
- Walk us through a complex electromechanical system you designed from scratch—what were the key challenges and how did you validate your design?
- Describe your experience with FEA and structural analysis. How have you used these tools to solve real engineering problems?