Space Systems Engineer, Flight Safety
About this Role
Varda is seeking a Space Systems Engineer to fill a flight safety analyst and reentry compliance role. Joining our Mission Assurance team, you will produce the Flight Safety Analysis and regulatory strategy required for FAA Part 450 and Range Safety licensing. This is a highly cross-functional role that bridges the gap between complex engineering trades and regulatory approval. From defining safety-critical verification artifacts during design to supporting live on-console operations, you will ensure our flight hardware is verified and our reentry methodologies are mathematically sound.
Responsibilities
Perform flight safety analyses for each mission, with a focus on failure mode trajectory modeling and debris field containment.
Execute the technical regulatory strategy, Methods of Compliance, and safety cases for FAA launch and reentry authorizations.
Complete vehicle-level functional hazard analyses (FHA) and failure mode and effect analyses (FMEA).
Act as the Flight Safety responsible engineer during mission rehearsals and live recovery operations.
Establish technical safety limits and mission rules for real-time on-console operations.
Responsible for vehicle-level deliverables to regulatory organizations, in the service of mission reentry licenses and authorizations.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, systems engineering or related field.
Demonstrated ownership and execution of a complex engineering project, cradle-to-grave.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and present to executives/customers/regulators.
Strong experience with risk management methodologies and tools (FMEA, FHA, Fault Tree Analysis).
Experience with integration of interdisciplinary systems in the aerospace industry.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Demonstrated experience with FAA Part 450, expected casualty modeling, trajectory dispersion, and/or debris analysis.
Demonstrated safety critical mission operations in aviation or space applications.
Proven experience navigating the FCC Part 25 (Commercial) or Part 5 (Experimental) licensing process, for satellite and reentry communications.
Dedicated to adopting a lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability.
Pay Range
Salary range:
Engineer I: $105,000 - $139,466/per year
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