Varda Space

Principal Fluid Systems Engineer - Pharmaceutical Payloads

El Segundo, California, United States · Principal

Work authorization required$180k-$230kDetected 15 hours ago

PythonMATLABBusiness DevelopmentFEAAvionicsEMI/EMCSystems EngineeringHardware DesignControlsGMPMedical DevicesLeadershipCommunicationFiber Optics

About the role

Your payloads will precisely meter, mix, filter, transport, and thermally control pharmaceutical materials in compact spacecraft-compatible hardware.
This role is ideal for engineers who combine deep mechanical and fluid systems expertise with the cross-functional breadth to define foundational in-space pharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure.

Establish fluid system design standards for component selection and qualification, sealing, contamination control, thermal control, and verification/validation
Lead project teams to develop of precision fluid systems incorporating valves, pumps, pistons, manifolds, tubing, fittings, seals, filters, sensors, and thermal control systems
Drive system-level analyses, trade studies, and risk reduction using a variety of tools (hand calcs, Python/MATLAB models, FEA, etc. as needed)
Lead build and test campaigns for prototypes and flight hardware to characterize performance and reliability
Synthesize cross-functional inputs from business development, pharmaceutical science, process engineering, and spacecraft subsystem teams to develop requirements for new pharmaceutical payloads
Develop standards for subsystem requirements, ICDs, verification plans, test reports, and recovery procedures
Lead continuous improvement and incorporation of lessons learned
Relocation support for new hires, if needed

7+ years of experience designing, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting electromechanical hardware
Deep mechanical and fluid systems expertise with breadth in at least two adjacent disciplines such as avionics, software, thermal, optics, test, precision instrumentation, etc.
Track record leading project teams through full-cycle electromechanical space flight hardware development
Extensive experience with valves, pumps, pistons, tubing, manifolds, fittings, seals, filters, sensors, metering hardware, thermal-control hardware, and/or compact fluidic assemblies
3+ years of cross-functional project leadership experience
Familiarity with microgravity fluid behavior, capillary-driven flows, gas/liquid separation, two-phase flow, cGMP principles, cleanroom practices, or regulated hardware environments

Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
$180,000 - $230,000/per year
Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

Represent Varda in technical discussions with internal leadership, external partners, customers, and government stakeholders

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.

This listing is sourced directly from Varda Space's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.