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← Varda Space Industries

Propulsion Engineer II - Hardware and Bus Systems

Varda Space Industries
Location
El Segundo, California, United States
Posted
1 month ago
Department
Propulsion
Salary
$119,543-$152,749
What they actually want (must-haves)
  • B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience considered (typically 1–3+ years)
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience in propulsion or fluid systems design, build, and/or test for spacecraft or launch vehicles
  • Working knowledge of flight fluid system hardware: pressurized components, tubing, fittings, seals, valves, and instrumentation
  • Ability to read P&IDs; experience authoring P&IDs is a plus
  • Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) and PLM software
  • Experience authoring or executing operational procedures for ground test or flight campaigns
Nice to have
  • 3+ years of spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion experience, including familiarity with satellite bus-level propulsion architectures (monopropellant, bipropellant, cold gas systems)
  • Experience building Python scripts or spreadsheet tools to automate propulsion analysis or data review workflows
  • Exposure to structural analysis using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent FEA tools applied to propulsion or fluid system hardware
  • Familiarity with technical drawing review and GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards
  • Exposure to spacecraft-grade propellants including cryogenic, hypergolic, or high-test peroxide systems; awareness of cleanliness, handling, and safety requirements
What the job really is

As a Propulsion Engineer II at Varda, you will take a hands-on role in managing the propulsion subsystem and hardware for spacecraft. Your responsibilities will include system architecture maintenance, component design and testing, and supporting in-flight operations. You will work within an interdisciplinary team to enhance vehicle reliability and performance, contributing directly to the development of current and future spacecraft.

Benefits
  • 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
Things to weigh
  • No remote work option mentioned; this role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
  • Salary range provided, but specific compensation details depend on various factors
  • Requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency due to ITAR regulations
Job score4.6/5
Benefits5/5
Freshness4/5
Career value4/5
Role clarity5/5
Pay transparency5/5

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