Varda Space
Director, Payload Systems Integration & Test
$192K–$278K
El Segundo, California, United States · Director · Full-time · Posted Sep 25, 2026
- Experience
- 10+ years of spacecraft or aerospace hardware experience spanning integration, test, and mission execution.
- Education
- B.S. in a relevant engineering discipline; M.S. in aerospace, mechanical, chemical, or systems engineering preferred.
- Visa sponsorship
- Must be a U.S. person permitted to access export-controlled technology without an export license: a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
About the job
Leads the team responsible for defining, integrating, testing, and supporting customer and internal payloads across missions, from design and qualification through flight, reentry, and recovery.
What you'll do
- Build and lead the Payload Systems Integration & Test team, including hiring, development, and execution planning.
- Own payload interfaces, integration and test campaigns, qualification, and scalable documentation and cleanroom practices.
- Coordinate with vehicle, production, and mission teams; manage customer commitments and support payload operations through recovery.
What they ask for
- 10+ years of spacecraft or aerospace hardware experience spanning integration, test, and mission execution.
- Hands-on experience planning and running environmental qualification campaigns on flight hardware; experience with cleanroom operations and contamination control.
- Strong interface engineering background, including ICDs, requirements flow-down, and interface verification.
- Experience leading engineers and customer-facing work; B.S. in a relevant engineering discipline.
Nice to have
- Active TS/SCI security clearance or eligibility to be granted one.
- Experience with fluidic, thermal, or process payloads; hosted or rideshare payloads; reentry or recovery; defense or government programs; or starting a new team.
Pay
$192,500 - $278,056/per year (USD, base salary)
Tools
ICDs, random vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, shock
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative