Payload Systems, Integration, & Test Engineer II

About this Role

As a Payload Systems, Integration, & Test Engineer II at Varda, you will own the end-to-end mission success for assigned payloads, including both internally designed payloads and hosted customer payloads. Example payloads may include inertial, RF, or optical sensors or communication systems, as well as various types of pharmaceutical processing equipment and instrumentation.

You will serve as the technical bridge between each payload and the Varda vehicle, defining interfaces, planning and executing integration and test campaigns, coordinating in-orbit operations, and ensuring safe recovery of payload data and hardware. When payloads require special accommodations or vehicle modifications, you will work across the vehicle engineering team to scope and implement these changes.

This role is ideal for system-minded engineers with broad cross-disciplinary background, looking to do both concept synthesis as well as hands-on integration and test.

Responsibilities

Act as responsible engineer for assigned payloads from initial scoping through post-flight data delivery, for both in-house pharma payloads and hosted customer payloads

Work with payload providers to understand mission objectives, derive detailed requirements, and capture detailed interfaces in formal ICDs

Work collaboratively across engineering disciplines to scope and implement special accommodations and payload-specific vehicle changes

Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external payload customers throughout the mission lifecycle (early-stage scoping through deorbit and recovery)

Plan and execute payload-level integration and test activities, including incoming inspection, functional checkouts, and environmental testing (vibration, EMI/EMC, TVAC), plus payload-specific verifications such as leak testing or pharmaceutical process testing

Identify, document, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues that arise during integration and test activities

Work with mission operations engineers to define payload flight operations, command sequences, and operations procedures, and support on-console operations as needed to accomplish mission objectives

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Chemical, Systems Engineering, or other relevant field

2+ years of experience integrating and testing spacecraft, payloads, or comparably complex electro-mechanical hardware

Experience owning a hardware element through an integration and test campaign

Demonstrated ability to carry multiple hardware efforts concurrently against fixed schedule milestones

First-principles problem solving and broad system-level thinking

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Comfortable working hands-on in a cleanroom with critical flight hardware

Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs

Must be comfortable bending, stooping, and standing while working directly with hardware on the floor

Preferred Qualifications

Experience integrating hosted or customer-furnished payloads onto a spacecraft or launch vehicle

Experience developing and managing interface control documents, requirements, and verification/validation plans

Hands-on experience with aerospace environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC) and associated test standards (e.g., GSFC-STD-7000 and SMC-S-016)

Exposure to pharmaceutical, biomedical, or other regulated-industry hardware and quality practices

Pay Range

Salary range: $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