Launch and Recovery Engineering Manager

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 Launch & Recovery Engineering Manager you will have the primary responsibility for owning and defining the launch vehicle mechanical and electrical interface and capsule recovery operations for Varda Space Vehicles as the company innovates and scales its product lines for more advanced mission objectives along with a higher operational cadence. The role is responsible for launch vehicle and recovery requirements definition for Varda Space Vehicles, delivery of all technical and regulatory contract deliverables to the launch provider per the Launch Services Agreement (LSA), definition of launch vehicle ICD with the launch provider, and management and execution of launch site I&T and capsule recovery procedures. This role will report directly to the VP, W-Series Vehicles within Vehicle Systems, Integration and Test engineering interfacing with all subsystem engineering departments, mission operations engineers as well as senior leadership.

This is a people management role with direct reports. The Launch & Recovery Engineering Manager will be responsible for building and leading a team of engineers, with expectations that include:

• Directly managing, mentoring, and developing a team of launch and recovery engineers
• Setting individual goals, conducting performance reviews, and supporting career growth for direct reports
• Hiring and onboarding new team members as the launch cadence scales to 12+ vehicles per year
• Delegating and prioritizing work across the team to meet mission milestones and LSA commitments
• Fostering a collaborative, high-performance team culture aligned with Varda's mission and values
• Coordinating cross-functionally with subsystem leads, mission operations, and senior leadership on behalf of the team

Responsibilities

• Responsible for definition of Launch Vehicle Interface technical and regulatory requirements for Varda Space Industries vehicles through early mission lifecycle reviews (i.e. Design Criteria, Preliminary Design, Critical Design) leading to definition and execution of all contracted Launch Service Agreements (LSA)
• Serves as primary responsible engineer for all technical and regulatory contract deliverables through execution of an LSA from contract effective date to include mission integration, dynamics model, mass properties, mechanical & electrical interface specifications, launch vehicle separation configuration & analysis, Range Safety, FAA/FCC licensing, hazardous procedures, launch site campaign planning and integration and test procedure definition
• Chairs regular meetings (i.e. biweekly) with Launch Provider to ensure all LSA technical and regulatory deliverables are meeting their contractual commitments, coordinating any schedule impacts or trades with the VP, W-Series Vehicles
• Co-chairs specific anomaly investigations and corrective action with mission assurance that directly impact LSA contract technical deliverables to include the critical environmental test report
• Manages the execution of all launch site Integration and Test procedures for each Varda Space mission, leading a cross-disciplinary team to include parallel processing of multiple vehicles
• Develops capsule recovery concept of operations, plans and procedures, directly participating in capsule recovery operations at the Australian Koonibba test range and future recovery sites
• Works with executive management to scale launch and recovery planning and execution for an expected cadence of 12+ vehicles per year, which includes implementation of a team structure with standardization of interfaces and contract deliverables for multiple launch providers
• Performs detailed system-level technical and cost trade studies for additional launch vehicles as part of achieving an increased reentry vehicle operational cadence

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field and (typically 5-10+ years) of experience in systems, integration, and/or test
• Prior experience in a formal or informal people management or technical leadership role, with demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineers
• Comprehensive understanding of satellite systems engineering, including all satellite subsystems
• Thorough knowledge of launch vehicle mechanical and electrical engineering interface technical specifications
• Strong familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710 requirements to include propulsion, structures, avionics, mechanisms, and software
• Ability to solve complex problems autonomously as an individual contributor or as a member of an integrated team
• Proven track record in a technical leadership role for a launch vehicle or satellite program
• Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills in a collaborative environment
• Demonstrated success working on complex technical programs, preferably within aerospace or related industries
• First principles thinking and broad technical fluency across relevant fields (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.)
• Hands-on background building and testing satellites or operating them in a space environment

Preferred Skills and Experience

• M.S. degree in engineering, physics, or related field is preferred
• Active Top Secret/SCI eligible clearance is strongly preferred
• Proficiency in one or more general-purpose programming languages, such as C++ or Python
• Familiarity with aerospace hardware development practices (e.g., qualification testing, design for typical space environments, cleanliness standards, etc.)
• Background testing spacecraft or launch vehicle flight hardware, particularly launch separation systems
• Exposure to a production or high-cadence manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in Unigraphics NX or similar CAD software

Pay Range

• Salary Range: Manager: $170,280 - $245,960/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

Consider your benefits covered for launch.  At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns. 

Regular Full-Time Positions:  

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 

Benefits for Internship Positions:  

Health & Wellness  

• Paid observed holidays.  

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.  

• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.  

• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.  

Financial  

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.  

• Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible  

• Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.  

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

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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.