Manager of Propulsion Systems

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 Manager of Propulsion Systems , you will own the success of a critical subsystem within Varda's interdisciplinary engineering organization. You will be responsible for propulsion system architecture, analysis, mechanical design, subsystem test, and operations — both on the ground and in orbit. You will lead a team of propulsion systems engineers through Varda's evolving vehicle designs and block upgrades, with your work directly shaping the development of future spacecraft and capabilities central to Varda's growth. The ideal candidate excels in propulsion systems technical leadership and thrives working cross-functionally across engineering domains, mission assurance, production, and supply chain. This role is open at the Manager level, with leveling determined by candidate experience. Responsibilities   Own the spacecraft propulsion systems discipline and its interfaces end-to-end across the engineering organization and full product lifecycle Set the technical direction for Varda propulsion systems; expand team and subsystem capabilities through ongoing engineering development, driving projects from concept through implementation and flight Own vehicle Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), which directly define spacecraft capabilities in orbit Drive and define interfaces with partner disciplines; set team priorities, remove blockers, and ensure thorough coverage across all deliverables as the program scales Lead, grow, and hire the propulsion systems team responsible for subsystem development and operations, serving as the primary propulsion interface with GNC, software, structures, thermal, avionics, production, mission operations, and other partner teams Represent propulsion systems in cross-functional forums internally and externally; plan and execute major spacecraft testing campaigns and in-flight operations alongside your team Define and uphold a high technical bar by informing and applying Varda's interdisciplinary engineering standards to the propulsion systems team Basic Qualifications   B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related field; equivalent professional experience considered 5–9 years of hands-on experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion, including design, build, and test of fluid systems or propulsion subsystems Demonstrated people leadership experience — formally or informally managing, mentoring, or technically leading a team of engineers Deep technical understanding of spacecraft propulsion subsystems, including fluid system components, P&IDs, pressurized hardware, and propellant handling Proven ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries and drive multi-disciplinary technical solutions through a pragmatic systems engineering approach Experience authoring and executing operational procedures for ground test or flight operations Proficiency with CAD and PLM software Preferred Skills and Experience 8+ years in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion, with breadth across design, analysis, test, and operations Prior formal management experience: hiring, performance management, and team development Experience with satellite bus propulsion architectures, including monopropellant, bipropellant, and cold gas systems Familiarity with fluid systems performance analysis tools and methods Background in defining and enforcing engineering standards or design guidelines within a propulsion organization Launch site processing of spaceflight hardware and/or flight operations experience Exceptional communication skills — ability to translate technical complexity into clear direction for your team and clear status for leadership Pay Range Salary Range:  Manager: $170,280- $217,580 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 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   Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays   100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and d