Job Description

<div class="content-intro"><h2>About Varda</h2>
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.&nbsp;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. &nbsp;
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. &nbsp;
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.&nbsp;
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.</div>About This Role&nbsp;
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As Manager of Propulsion Systems, you will own the success of a critical subsystem within Varda's interdisciplinary engineering organization. You will be responsible for propulsion system architecture, analysis, mechanical design, subsystem test, and operations, both on the&nbsp;ground and in orbit. You will lead a team of propulsion systems engineers through Varda's evolving vehicle designs and block upgrades, with your work directly shaping the development of future spacecraft and capabilities central to Varda's growth.
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The ideal candidate excels in propulsion systems technical leadership and thrives working cross-functionally across engineering domains, mission assurance, production, and supply chain. This role is open at the Manager level, with leveling determined by candidate experience.
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Responsibilities&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Own the spacecraft propulsion systems discipline and its interfaces end-to-end across the engineering organization and full product lifecycle</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Set the technical direction for Varda propulsion systems; expand team and subsystem capabilities through ongoing engineering development, driving projects from concept through implementation and flight</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Own vehicle Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&amp;IDs), which directly define spacecraft capabilities in orbit</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Drive and define interfaces with partner disciplines; set team priorities, remove blockers, and ensure thorough coverage across all deliverables as the program scales</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Lead, grow, and hire the propulsion systems team responsible for subsystem development and operations, serving as the primary propulsion interface with GNC, software, structures, thermal, avionics, production, mission operations, and other partner teams</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Represent propulsion systems in cross-functional forums internally and externally; plan and execute major spacecraft testing campaigns and in-flight operations alongside your team</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Define and uphold a high technical bar by informing and applying Varda's interdisciplinary engineering standards to the propulsion systems team</li>
</ul>
Basic Qualifications&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related field; equivalent professional experience considered</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">5–9 years of hands-on experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion, including design, build, and test of fluid systems or propulsion subsystems</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Demonstrated people leadership experience — formally or informally managing, mentoring, or technically leading a team of engineers</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Deep technical understanding of spacecraft propulsion subsystems, including fluid system components, P&amp;IDs, pressurized hardware, and propellant handling</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Proven ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries and drive multi-disciplinary technical solutions through a pragmatic systems engineering approach</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience authoring and executing operational procedures for ground test or flight operations</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Proficiency with CAD and PLM software</li>
</ul>
Preferred Skills and Experience
<ul>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">8+ years in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion, with breadth across design, analysis, test, and operations</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Prior formal management experience: hiring, performance management, and team development</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience with satellite bus propulsion architectures, including monopropellant, bipropellant, and cold gas systems</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Familiarity with fluid systems performance analysis tools and methods</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Background in defining and enforcing engineering standards or design guidelines within a propulsion organization</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Launch site processing of spaceflight hardware and/or flight operations experience</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Exceptional communication skills — ability to translate technical complexity into clear direction for your team and clear status for leadership</li>
</ul>
Pay Range
<ul>
<li>Salary Range:&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li>Manager: $170,280- $217,580</li>
</ul>
<li>This role is&nbsp;on-site&nbsp;in El Segundo, CA</li>
<li>Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance</li>
<li>You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards</li>
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<h2>Benefits</h2>
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&nbsp;(at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):&nbsp;
Health &amp; Wellness&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Flexible PTO policy +&nbsp;12 paid holidays&nbsp;</li>
<li>100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options</li>
<li>Voluntary&nbsp;accident, hospital, critical illness,&nbsp;and&nbsp;pet insurance&nbsp;</li>
<li>$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses&nbsp;</li>
<li>12&nbsp;weeks of&nbsp;parental leave&nbsp;(with supplemental disability leave&nbsp;for CA&nbsp;mothers)<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}">&nbsp;</li>
<li>Family building, pregnancy,&nbsp;parenting&nbsp;and menopause&nbsp;benefits&nbsp;via Maven Clinic<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}">&nbsp;</li>
<li>Sponsored&nbsp;One Medical&nbsp;memberships for employees and their dependents<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}">&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Financial &amp; Retirement&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Substantial incentive equity&nbsp;in a fully funded space start-up&nbsp;</li>
<li>401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)</li>
<li>$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement&nbsp;</li>
<li>Relocation support&nbsp;for new hires, if needed&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Workplace Experience &amp; Perks&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}">&nbsp;</li>
<li>Company and team-bonding events, happy&nbsp;hours&nbsp;and mission-success celebrations</li>
<li>Complimentary EV charging</li>
</ul>
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<h2>ITAR Requirements</h2>
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).
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<h2>E-Verify Statement</h2>
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&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.e-verify.gov%2Femployees%2Fe-verify-overview&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ctyree%40varda.com%7C22201ef47a8142f3b0a708dbd0f6e47b%7C1b36161382e94a8784f78a213228882f%7C0%7C0%7C638333531041144158%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=3toCq47V%2FiQtV%2B5rEKFG0tfg0yXkNTv4SuLE2Xy40Rk%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="Verified" data-linkindex="5">E-Verify</a> program.
E-Verify Notice&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Right To Work Notice
<a>Read more</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a>Read more</a>
Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. &nbsp;We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
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Audit details(provenance, verification trail, raw fields)

Core fields

Posting ID

varda-space-industries:7747493003

Title

Manager of Propulsion Systems

Function

Other

Location

El Segundo, California, United States

Workplace mode

unspecified

Posted at

2026-05-24 01:01:52Z

Compensation

$170K – $218K

Provenance

First seen (our tracker)

2026-07-21 02:24:33Z

Last seen

2026-07-25 08:23:50Z

Last updated

2026-07-25 08:23:50Z

Removed at

still open

Days open

Open for 63 days (and counting)

ATS adapter

greenhouse

ATS slug

vardaspace

Source URL

https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/vardaspace/jobs/7747493003

Verification trail

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Job Description

Core fields

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Verification trail