About this Role

As a Senior Payload Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for the overall successful execution of flight payload projects from cradle to grave. In this dynamic position, you will lead both as a systems engineer and technical project manager throughout the entire payload project lifecycle. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team across avionics, software, mechanical, integration, and test as the owner of overall payload requirements from definition to verification and validation. As the project matures, you will be responsible for both critical technical decisions and ensuring the overall payload engineering team delivers.

In addition to project leadership, this role will require you to act as the primary technical point of contact. Whether dealing with external or internal customers on government or commercial projects, you will act as a customer advocate through technical leadership to ensure that Varda's platforms and payloads meet customer needs while minimizing program risk and complexity.

Responsibilities

• Drive technical and schedule execution for one or more payload projects, including definition of success criteria and determination of key objectives or milestones for the entire design, build, and fly cycle
• Define and manage payload subsystem scope and requirements from concept through flight, especially as those requirements or trades pertain to the interfaces between disciplines
• Own critical project technical and programmatic decisions to ensure payload project success

• Drive the project through development, test, verification, and validation by setting the test objectives and ensuring the project risk is at parity with the overall program risk
• Act as the primary technical interface and internal champion for the customer’s needs
• Technical leadership of a team of responsible engineers across multiple the payload subsystem technical disciplines

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field with 5 years of professional experience in systems engineering or a related technical discipline
• Proven experience leading and managing complex technical programs, preferably within aerospace or related industries
• Strong first principles thinking and substantial technical breadth across relevant fields (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and direct customer engagement
• Demonstrated ability to make critical decisions and act as a tie-breaking authority in complex technical scenarios

• Ability to successfully respond to evolving requirements in a fast-moving organization

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience working directly with customers and managing customer relationships
• Technical depth in one or more of structures, mechanisms/mechatronics, fluid systems, and/or avionics

• Ability to obtain security clearance
• Experience with aerospace hardware development practices (e.g., qualification testing practices, design for typical space environments, cleanliness, etc.)

Pay Range

• Sr. Payload Systems Engineer: $135,000 - $185,000 per year
• On site role located in El Segundo, CA