Manager of Propulsion Systems

<div class="content-intro"><h2><span data-contrast="none">About Varda</span></h2> <p>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. <strong>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.</strong></p> <p>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.  </p> <p>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.  </p> <p>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. </p> <p>Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.</p></div><p><strong><span data-contrast="none">About This Role</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":120,"335572079":6,"335572080":1,"335572081":11957550,"469789806":"single"}"> </span></p> <div class="_chunkWrapper_6ta1u_30"> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal"><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="0">As <strong>Manager of </strong></span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="14"><strong>Propulsion Systems</strong>, you will </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="43">own the success of a </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="64">critical subsystem within </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="90">Varda's interdisciplinary engineering </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="128">organization. You will be responsible </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="166">for propulsion system architecture, </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="202">analysis, mechanical design, subsystem </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="241">test, and operations, both on the </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="276">ground and in orbit. You will lead a </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="313">team of propulsion systems engineers </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="350">through Varda's evolving vehicle </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="383">designs and block upgrades, with your </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="421">work directly shaping the development </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="459">of future spacecraft and capabilities </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="497">central to Varda's growth.</span></p> </div> <div class="_chunkWrapper_6ta1u_30"> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal"><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="0">The ideal </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="10">candidate excels in propulsion systems </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="49">technical leadership and thrives </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="82">working cross-functionally across </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="116">engineering domains, mission assurance, </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="156">production, and supply chain. This role </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="196">is open at the Manager level, with </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="231">leveling determined by candidate </span><span class="_animating_6ta1u_10" data-newtext-seq="264">experience.</span></p> </div> <p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Responsibilities</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":120,"335572079":6,"335572080":1,"335572081":11957550,"469789806":"single"}"> </span></p> <ul> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Own the spacecraft propulsion systems discipline and its interfaces end-to-end across the engineering organization and full product lifecycle</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">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</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Own vehicle Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), which directly define spacecraft capabilities in orbit</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Drive and define interfaces with partner disciplines; set team priorities, remove blockers, and ensure thorough coverage across all deliverables as the program scales</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">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</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Represent propulsion systems in cross-functional forums internally and externally; plan and execute major spacecraft testing campaigns and in-flight operations alongside your team</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Define and uphold a high technical bar by