El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$140k–$179k/yr
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-S…
Skills: Propulsion Fluid System Design, P&ID Authoring, CAD Tools, PLM Software, CNC-based Tooling
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$141k–$212k/yr
Title: Integration and Test Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR provides innovative and cost-effective services and solutions to national security and industry customers. We are leading the way for national sec…
Skills: System Integration, MILSATCOM, RF Equipment, Troubleshooting, Test Planning
El Segundo, California, United States · Hybrid
$200k–$250k/yr
The Role We are looking for an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of the optical systems that move data through the Ephemeris Net network, including coherent optical transceivers and the free-spa…
Skills: Optical System Design, Ray Tracing, Coherent Detection, Fiber Optics, Free-Space Optical Assembly
El Segundo, California, United States · Hybrid
$150k–$250k/yr
The Role We are looking for an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of the optical systems that move data through the Ephemeris Net network, including coherent optical transceivers and the free-spa…
Skills: Optical System Design, Ray Tracing, Coherent Detection, Free-Space Optics, Fiber Optics
El Segundo, California, United States · Hybrid
$150k–$250k/yr
The Role We are looking for an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of the optical systems that move data through the Ephemeris Net network, including coherent optical transceivers and the free-spa…
Skills: Optical System Design, Ray Tracing, Coherent Detection, Free-Space Optical Assembly, Tolerancing
El Segundo, California, United States · Hybrid
$150k–$230k/yr
The role Join our electrical engineering team to design and develop the electronics that make our vision of space networking a reality - from the high-speed digital systems inside our Ephemeris Network Box to the opto-el…
Skills: High-Speed Digital Design, PCB Design, Signal Integrity, Analog Circuit Design, Optical Transceivers
El Segundo, California, United States · Hybrid
$180k–$230k/yr
The role Join our electrical engineering team to design and develop the electronics that make our vision of space networking a reality - from the high-speed digital systems inside our Ephemeris Network Box to the opto-el…
Skills: PCB Design, High-Speed Digital Design, Analog Circuit Design, Signal Integrity, EMI/EMC Compliance
El Segundo, California, United States · Hybrid
$150k–$230k/yr
The role Join our electrical engineering team to design and develop the electronics that make our vision of space networking a reality - from the high-speed digital systems inside our Ephemeris Network Box to the opto-el…
Skills: PCB Design, High-Speed Digital Design, Analog Circuit Design, Signal Integrity, EMI/EMC Compliance
El Segundo, California, United States · Hybrid
$150k–$230k/yr
The role Join our electrical engineering team to design and develop the electronics that make our vision of space networking a reality - from the high-speed digital systems inside our Ephemeris Network Box to the opto-el…
Skills: High-Speed Digital Design, PCB Design, Signal Integrity, Analog Circuit Design, Optical Transceivers
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
Position Overview Shinkei Systems is pioneering technology to deliver the highest-quality seafood at scale. We’re looking for a Lab Tech to join our team at the intersection of fish biology research, engineering, and rea…
Skills: Experimental Execution, Data Collection, Sensory Analysis, Fish Biology, Laboratory Protocols
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$120k–$153k/yr
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-S…
Skills: Tube Fabrication, High-pressure Fluid Systems, Valve Assembly, Pressure Vessel Integration, Root Cause Analysis
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$140k–$179k/yr
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-S…
Skills: Tube Fabrication, Valve Assembly, Pressure Vessel Integration, Engine Integration, High-Pressure Fluid Systems
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$150k–$175k/yr
About Us At Arbor Energy & Resources Corporation ("Arbor Energy"), we’re creating technology to power our lives while protecting the planet that sustains them. Our advanced power systems deliver clean, reliable baseload …
Skills: Combustion System Design, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, High-Pressure Combustion
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$140k–$180k/yr
A New Paradigm For Space Operations. Who We Are: Drones have fundamentally changed the nature of conflict and maneuver. The next theater to be changed by drone technology is space. Space Kinetic is a space technology sta…
Skills: Mixed Signal Design, Analog Circuitry, Digital Circuitry, PCB Layout, Altium
El Segundo, California, United States · Hybrid
$165k–$200k/yr
The role We’re hiring a Founding Technical Recruiter to build the team that extends the internet to space. As we scale from 5 to 50 in the next 18 months, the engineers and operators you recruit will design the hardware …
Skills: Full-Cycle Technical Recruiting, Technical Sourcing, ATS Configuration, Candidate Experience, Compensation Benchmarking
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$155k–$270k/yr
Company Overview: SOE is an engineering consulting firm that specializes in electrical, electromechanical, and embedded systems. Founded in 2016, we have 30+ engineers across offices in El Segundo, CA and Redmond, WA. In…
Skills: High Speed Digital Design, Signal Integrity, FPGA Development, PCB Design, Altium
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$120k–$153k/yr
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-S…
Skills: Thermal Management, Fluid System Design, Heat Transfer, Incompressible Fluid Mechanics, 0D and 1D Fluid Networks
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$120k–$153k/yr
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-S…
Skills: Thermal Design, Thermal Analysis, CAD Design, Fabrication, Instrumentation
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$140k–$179k/yr
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-S…
Skills: Thermal Analysis, Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, MATLAB, Passive Thermal Control
El Segundo, California, United States · On-site
$46/hr–$63/hr
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-S…
Skills: 5-Axis CNC Machining, CAM Programming, Mastercam, SolidWorks, GD&T
El Segundo, California, United States • On-site
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Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft propulsion subsystems and bus-integrated fluid systems throughout their full lifecycle. Lead propellant loading and engine test campaigns while defining technical standards and mentoring junior engineers.
Requires a B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering with 3-6+ years of experience in propulsion fluid system design and testing. Must be proficient in P&IDs, CAD, and have a proven record of driving technical anomaly resolutions.
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 the Senior Propulsion Engineer – Hardware & Bus Systems, you will serve as the technical authority for spacecraft propulsion subsystems integrated within the satellite bus, the foundational architecture that every mission depends on. You'll be setting the strategy, defining the standards and building the propulsion infrastructure that gets spacecraft off the ground and into orbit.
You'll own the full lifecycle of propulsion hardware and bus-integrated fluid systems, from architecture and design through build, test, anomaly resolution and live flight operations. You'll lead propellant loading and engine test campaigns across multiple sites, define our operational approach as we scale, and serve as the technical north star for the broader propulsion team.
Responsibilities
Basic Qualifications
Preferred Skills and Experience
Pay Range
Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):
Health & Wellness
Financial & Retirement
Workplace Experience & Perks
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).
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
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.
Expanding the economic bounds of humankind.
Varda is building the infrastructure for a thriving orbital economy, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. From new, life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optic cables, there is a world of products used to benefit life on Earth that can only be manufactured in space. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Offices: 225 S Aviation Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245, US
Based on 573 listings with disclosed salaries, most science & research jobs in El Segundo, CA pay between $99k–$227k per year. Individual offers vary with seniority, company size, and specialization.
There are currently 610 open science & research positions in El Segundo, CA listed on Clera. New openings are added daily as companies post roles.
Companies currently hiring include Boeing, The Aerospace Corporation, Varda Space Industries, Northrop Grumman, CHAOS Industries, among others. Browse the listings above to see every active employer.
Yes — 47 of the 610 open science & research positions offer remote or hybrid work (10 remote, 37 hybrid).
Each listing links directly to the employer's application page. Apply early — fresh listings get the most recruiter attention in the first two weeks.
