Job description

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

As a Supply Chain Engineer - Mechanical focused, you'll be instrumental in ensuring the seamless integration of engineering and manufacturing capabilities with our supplier network. You'll collaborate closely with supply chain, engineering, and production teams to ensure that our suppliers can meet our rigorous standards and deliver components that align with our design specifications. This role will involve both hands-on evaluation of supplier processes and strategic initiatives to enhance supplier performance. You'll be responsible for assessing manufacturing capabilities, interpreting engineering drawings, and driving improvements that support our mission as we continue to innovate and expand.

This is a full-time onsite role based in our El Segundo headquarters.

Responsibilities

Own supplier quality – create framework for Varda’s supplier quality programs
Collaborate with engineering teams on new product introduction and R&D projects, providing Designed for Manufacturability (DFM) input and supplier selection throughout the development lifecycle
Work closely with the supply chain team to evaluate potential suppliers, conduct supplier audits, and assess their capabilities, and quality control processes
Define and implement robust quality requirements for suppliers, including specifications, inspection and acceptance criteria, in collaboration with engineering and operations teams
Build relationships with suppliers to drive continuous improvement of quality control processes
Investigate and resolve supplier quality issues through root cause analysis and corrective actions
Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and qualification activities to ensure supplier quality considerations are addressed during the product development lifecycle
Stay updated with industry trends, standards, and regulations related to supplier quality and manufacturing in the aerospace sector

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related degree (mechanical, aerospace, electrical, etc.)
3-6+ years of experience in supplier quality engineering, preferably in the aerospace, automotive, or high-performance engineering industries
Demonstrated fluency with machined parts, sheet metal, mechanisms, and structural hardware supplier experience (structures and payload mechanisms)
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a keen attention to detail
Knowledge of quality tools such as FMEA, DMAIC, 8D, etc.
Understanding of engineering models and drawings
Ability to travel 25-50% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

Expert level knowledge in one or more commodities within the team's scope (*mechanical machining, propulsion systems, PCB/PCBA manufacturing, etc)
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and enthusiasm for Varda’s spirit of innovation and drive for improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
Proven ability to evaluate supplier capabilities, conduct audits, and drive continuous improvement of supplier quality control processes
Proficiency in quality management systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001, and familiarity with other relevant quality standards and regulations
Familiarity with space system components and materials, including *mechanical, electrical, and electronic components, and their associated quality requirements
Thorough understanding of GD&T (ANSI Y14.5-2009 or 2018)

Pay Range

Base Salary Range:
- Eng II: $119,000-139,000
- Senior: $140,000-179,000
- Principal: $180,000-232,000
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
This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA

Benefits

Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):

Health & Wellness

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
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice