Manager Systems, Integration, and Test

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 re‑entry capsules. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

About This Role

The Systems, Integration, and Test team is a multidisciplinary team working across the full lifecycle of satellite development from defining requirements through systems test. The team is responsible for each vehicle and ensures all systems are ready for launch and operations. This is a leadership role within the team that will drive the processes and playbooks to consistently deliver robust and evolving vehicles to space.

Responsibilities

Mentor and manage a team of engineers, including hiring and performance management.

Own engineering development roadmap to sustain increasing flight cadence.

Lead team to develop vehicle integration and test campaigns to ensure flight readiness.

Manage the technical outcome and milestone schedule to enable the delivery of vehicles on schedule.

Develop frameworks to evaluate vehicle change impacts and drive execution of vehicle‑level change implementation.

Stay hands‑on with vehicle integration and test – get out on the floor and execute with the team when necessary.

Basic Qualifications

B.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field and 5+ years of experience in systems, integration, and/or test engineering.

Experience with mentoring team members and comfortable in providing feedback to support professional or technical growth.

Teamwork, communication, and problem solving in a collaborative environment.

Proven experience working on complex technical programs, preferably within aerospace or related industries.

Strong first‑principles thinking and technical breadth across relevant fields (structures, electronics, propulsion, software, etc.).

Technical depth in electronics, fluid propulsion, and/or systems engineering.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Experience with project management of the full lifecycle of a project.

Experience developing and communicating project technical roadmaps.

Experience with one or more general‑purpose programming languages such as C++ and Python.

Experience with aerospace hardware development practices (e.g., qualification testing practices, design for typical space environments, cleanliness, etc.).

Unigraphics NX experience or similar CAD software.

Pay Range

Salary range: $170,000 – $198,000 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.

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 per 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 per 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.

Dog‑friendly office space.

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, employees are exposed to and have access to certain export‑controlled items. Because employees are provided access to export‑controlled items, Varda’s policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. “U.S. 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

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