Manufacturing Engineer II- Avionics / Electromechanical / Harnessing

About This Role

As the Electromechanical Manufacturing Engineer II at Varda, you will play a pivotal role in scaling the production of our spacecraft's electromechanical assemblies — from wire harness fabrication and connector installation to electromechanical actuator integration and cable routing. You will own manufacturing processes that sit at the critical intersection of electrical and mechanical systems, ensuring every build meets Varda's exacting quality and reliability standards. This role demands a builder's mindset: someone who is equally at home reviewing a wiring diagram, troubleshooting a connector pinout, and rewriting a work instruction to prevent recurring defects. The focus is on driving incremental, documented improvement for every vehicle Varda produces.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for Varda payload systems, including pharmaceutical processing hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished payload equipment

Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures for payload fabrication and integration operations

Serve as the primary manufacturing interface for payload customers, translating customer requirements and ICD (Interface Control Document) constraints into executable production processes

Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols appropriate for sensitive payload hardware, including pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical components

Collaborate with payload design engineers to provide DFM and DFA feedback on assembly accessibility, connector placement, thermal interface design, and testability

Define and execute payload acceptance testing, functional verification checkouts, and pre-integration inspections; maintain complete and traceable build records

Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for payload non-conformances; coordinate MRB dispositions with design engineering and, where applicable, payload customers

Coordinate payload integration milestones with the vehicle integration team, ensuring payload readiness gates align with overall vehicle build schedule

Basic Qualifications

B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 3–6+ years)

3+ years of experience manufacturing experience with electromechanical assemblies in electronics, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries

Demonstrated experience with wire harness fabrication, IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards, and connector assembly (e.g., D-sub, circular MIL-spec, coax)

Strong first principles thinking — able to trace a build defect to its root cause and design a durable fix as applied to electrical and mechanical problems relevant for avionics and Electromechanical assembly

Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and connector pinouts

Excellent collaboration and communication skills; comfortable working directly with technicians on the production floor

Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods

Preferred Skills and Experience

M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering specialized in Embedded Systems, Microelectronics, RF or Control Systems or related discipline

Experience with spacecraft or launch vehicle electromechanical integration in a production (not just prototype) environment

Familiarity with ESD control practices, grounding/bonding requirements, and cleanliness protocols for flight hardware

Experience writing or revising work instructions and MRB dispositions for electromechanical non-conformances

Knowledge of cable routing in complex vehicle structures with thermal, vibration, and EMI constraints

Hands-on experience with automated wire processing equipment or harness board tooling

Background in transitioning electromechanical assemblies from engineering development to rate production

Experience with PDM/PLM systems (e.g., Windchill, Teamcenter, Arena) for configuration control of electrical BOMs

Prior work at a small-to-mid-size aerospace company where you wore multiple hats and owned outcomes end-to-end

Pay Range

Salary Range: Engineer II: $119,543- $152,749/ 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