Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer II

About the role

As a Payload Systems Integration and Test Engineer II at Varda, you will own the end-to-end mission success for assigned payloads, including both internally designed payloads and hosted customer payloads. Example payloads may include inertial, RF, or optical sensors or communication systems, as well as various types of pharmaceutical processing equipment and instrumentation. You will serve as the technical bridge between each payload and the Varda vehicle, defining interfaces, planning and executing integration and test campaigns, coordinating in-orbit operations, and ensuring safe recovery of payload data and hardware. When payloads require special accommodations or vehicle modifications, you will work across the vehicle engineering team to scope and implement these changes. This role is ideal for system-minded engineers with broad cross-disciplinary background, looking to do both concept synthesis as well as hands-on integration and test.

Responsibilities

• Act as responsible engineer for assigned payloads from initial scoping through post-flight data delivery, for both in-house pharma payloads and hosted customer payloads
• Work with payload providers to understand mission objectives, derive detailed requirements, and capture detailed interfaces in formal ICDs
• Work collaboratively across engineering disciplines to scope and implement special accommodations and payload-specific vehicle changes
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external payload customers throughout the mission lifecycle (early-stage scoping through deorbit and recovery)
• Plan and execute payload-level integration and test activities, including incoming inspection, functional checkouts, and environmental testing (vibration, EMI/EMC, TVAC), plus payload-specific verifications such as leak testing or pharmaceutical process testing
• Identify, document, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues that arise during integration and test activities
• Work with mission operations engineers to define payload flight operations, command sequences, and operations procedures, and support on-console operations as needed to accomplish mission objectives

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Chemical, Systems Engineering, or other relevant field
• 2+ years of experience integrating and testing spacecraft, payloads, or comparably complex electro-mechanical hardware
• Experience owning a hardware element through an integration and test campaign
• Demonstrated ability to carry multiple hardware efforts concurrently against fixed schedule milestones
• First-principles problem solving and broad system-level thinking
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working hands-on in a cleanroom with critical flight hardware
• Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs
• Must be comfortable bending, stooping, and standing while working directly with hardware on the floor

Qualifications

• Experience integrating hosted or customer-f