Propulsion Engineer
Varda
About Varda
There are many products that improve the quality of life on Earth that can only be manufactured in space. Our job at Varda is to make those products and bring them back down. We at Varda are proud to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Here, you’ll have the opportunity to work at the intersection of ambition and experience. Our team has deep experience in aerospace and tech. They have honed their crafts in the trenches of major companies. Your work will be valued and evaluated by proven leaders who have chosen to apply their talents to manufacturing in space.
While our vision is big, the steps to get there are technically reasonable and operationally feasible. Our conops are clear and use cases have been proven out over decades of ISS-based research and development.
Join Varda to help leverage space for business.
About This Role
The propulsion engineer at Varda will lead the full cycle design, development, and test for our spacecraft liquid propulsion system. You will take full ownership of the vehicle propulsion systems design for capsule reentry, orbital adjustments, and phasing. We are looking to optimize our propulsion system for our current and future generation space vehicles. Ready to grow with us?
Responsibilities
- Design a spacecraft liquid propulsion system from scratch (or at least from components) and lead the full cycle design, development, and test
- Full ownership of the vehicle propulsion systems design for capsule reentry, orbital adjustments, and phasing. This will primarily include a green monopropellant system.
- Scope projects from requirements capture and conduct design trades from open-ended problems
- Develop fluid component specifications and source hardware for in-space liquid propulsion systems
- Define the fabrication and component testing procedures and instructions
- Develop Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and provide technical guidance to vendors or technicians
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in a technical field
- 5+ years in propulsion design and/or test for spacecraft or rockets
- Experience in the life cycle of spacecraft development: design, build, and test.
- In-space engine vacuum test experience
- Hands-on experience with fluid systems
- Pressurization & propellant system design
- Fluid system analysis
- Understanding of system impacts to component design decisions including packaging, thermal, environmental, and loads
- Understand of fluid-mechanical components including check valves, solenoid valves, pressure regulators, and nozzles
- Familiarity with CAD and lifecycle management software
- Hands-on experience testing rocket engines and/or in-space thrusters
- Must be able to adapt and thrive in a dynamic highly technical environment
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 10+ years in propulsion design and/or test for spacecraft or rockets
- Liquid in-space engine design experience, preferably monopropellant systems or hypergolics
- Experience performing propulsion analysis such as propellant slosh/bladder modeling, fluids priming, or water hammer analysis
- Experience with Siemens NX or similar CAD packages
ITAR Requirements
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Benefits
- Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field to working by your side
- Working in El Segundo, CA - an awesome Southern California beach city with quick access to entertainment and outdoor activities
- Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth
- 401(k) matching
- Unlimited PTO
- Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
- Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
- Maternity / Paternity leave
Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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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