Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Payloads)

About the role

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, focusing on in-orbit pharmaceutical processing and reliable reentry capsules. The Principal Payloads Manufacturing Engineer will own the manufacturing and integration processes for critical payload systems, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and cleanliness.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end manufacturing and assembly processes for Varda payload systems, including pharmaceutical processing hardware, experiment modules, and customer-furnished payload equipment
• Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, assembly travelers, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures for payload fabrication and integration operations
• Serve as the primary manufacturing interface for payload customers, translating customer requirements and ICD constraints into executable production processes
• Implement contamination control, cleanliness, and handling protocols appropriate for sensitive payload hardware, including pharmaceutical-grade and precision optical components
• Collaborate with payload design engineers to provide DFM and DFA feedback on assembly accessibility, connector placement, thermal interface design, and testability
• Define and execute payload acceptance testing, functional verification checkouts, and pre-integration inspections; maintain complete and traceable build records
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for payload non-conformances; coordinate MRB dispositions with design engineering and, where applicable, payload customers
• Cook up payload integration milestones with the vehicle integration team, ensuring payload readiness gates align with overall vehicle build schedule

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline, with consideration given to equivalent professional experience (typically 6–10+ years)
• 6+ years of experience manufacturing or integrating complex and compact electromechanical assemblies, scientific instruments, or payload systems in aerospace, defense, biomedical, or research environments
• Demonstrated experience building and integrating precision hardware to tight tolerances and exacting cleanliness requirements
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, ICDs, and assembly models; familiarity with GD&T and interface requirement management
• Experience developing and executing assembly procedures and acceptance test plans for multi-functional hardware assemblies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interfacing directly with customers and cross-functional internal teams
• Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while working directly with flight hardware

Preferred Skills and Experience

• M.S. degree in Mechanical engineering specialized in Fluid Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline
• Experience manufacturing or integrating spacecraft payloads, scientific instruments, or hosted payload modules for LEO, GEO, or deep space missions
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical or bioprocessing hardware manufacturing requirements, including GMP considerations and contamination control protocols relevant to in-space drug manufacturing
• Background managing payload customer relationships from hardware delivery through integration, verification, and launch readiness
• Experience with ICD management and interface verification processes for payload-to-spacecraft integration
• Knowledge of microgravity experiment hardware design considerations and their manufacturing implications
• Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock) as it applies to payload hardware acceptance and qualification
• Experience working in or adjacent to a cleanroom environment (ISO Class 7 or better) for integration of sensitive flight payloads
• Prior work at a company developing commercial space services with a direct end-user product — pharmaceutical, government, or research — where manufacturing quality directly impacted mission outcome