Senior Build Reliability Engineer

Full Timesenior

El Segundo, California, United StatesPosted 15 days ago

Role Overview

Vardaspace is hiring a Senior Build Reliability Engineer. This is a full-time role in El Segundo, California. posted 2 weeks ago. Full responsibilities, required qualifications, and the apply link are listed in the description below.

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Job description

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

Varda is seeking a Senior Build Reliability Engineer to partner closely with the design and manufacturing teams to scale the production of spacecraft hardware. Build Reliability Engineers ensure production processes yield verified, reliable hardware at rate.  At Varda, you will have the unique opportunity to innovate and establish new processes as we scale manufacturing across multiple vehicle programs.  You will flex beyond Build Reliability to support Quality, Flight Reliability, and Mission Assurance.  The ideal candidate is a capable, process, and systems oriented engineer.

Responsibilities

Partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams to create test, manufacturability, and inspection plans for all vehicle hardware.
Contain suspect or known non-conforming product, providing guidance to quality inspectors, technicians, shop supervisors, and engineers.
Lead failure investigations in production, test, and operation; identifying and mitigating immediate and underlying root causes to reduce risk and improve the reliability of designs and processes.
Provide critical peer review of hardware during design reviews and acceptance and qualification test campaigns. 
Perform failure modes and effects analyses, build requirements compliance matrix tools, and ensure adequate test coverage, change management, and manufacturability of flight hardware.
Own vehicle level deliverables for regulatory bodies including requirements compliance, functional or flight hazard analyses, and verification evidence.
Support Mission Assurance's vehicle level risk management and identification / tracking / execution of mitigations.

Basic Qualifications

Minimum 5 years professional experience in aerospace, design, quality, or related engineering role
Bachelor's degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, or material sciences engineering
Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environments.
Strong computer skills with demonstrated ability in a programming language
Experience generating, processing, and/or analyzing data for production insight
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a drive to innovate and improve reliability in cutting-edge technology

Preferred Skills and Experience

Full project lifecycle ownership experience (cradle-to-grave)
Proficiency with quality tools such as measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem-solving approaches
Hands-on knowledge of CNC machining, additive manufacturing, casting, welding, fastening, or other special manufacturing processes
Commitment to lean quality principles without compromising safety or reliability

Pay Range

Salary range: $140,000-$170,000 /per year
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 dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
$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

Financial & Retirement

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
Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

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).

E-Verify Statement

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

About Vardaspace

Vardaspace

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for the Senior Build Reliability Engineer position at Vardaspace?

Use the Apply button above to submit your application directly to Vardaspace. Most applications take less than 5 minutes if your resume and contact details are ready, and you'll be routed to the employer's official application system to finish.

Where is the Senior Build Reliability Engineer position at Vardaspace located?

This position is based in El Segundo, California. Vardaspace has not indicated remote or hybrid options for this role, so candidates should plan for on-site work.

What does a Senior Build Reliability Engineer at Vardaspace earn?

Vardaspace has not disclosed a salary range in this posting. Many employers share specifics later in the interview process; you can also ask during a recruiter screen if compensation transparency is important to you.

When was the Senior Build Reliability Engineer role at Vardaspace posted?

This role was posted on June 24, 2026 (15 days ago). It's still listed as actively hiring; we re-confirm openings against the source system multiple times per day and remove closed roles.

How much experience does the Senior Build Reliability Engineer role at Vardaspace require?

This is a senior-level position. Most senior roles call for 5+ years of directly relevant experience. Vardaspace lists their specific requirements in the description below, so review the must-have qualifications closely before applying.