Senior Development Technician

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. 

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 (coming soon).

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

 

About This Role 

As a Senior Development Technician, you will be responsible for the entire build process across Varda’s vehicle. At Varda, you will be empowered to improve manufacturing processes, own production facilities, and learn new skills sets to support full vehicle builds. A  Senior Development Technician will have experience in one or more of the following areas and be willing to learn others: Metal Machining, Soldering & Harnessing, Structure Assembly, Propulsion Assembly, Vehicle Integration, and Testing. Technicians are the first and last line of defense in ensuring a successful build. Technicians taking responsibility for the quality of work performed is key. 

Responsibilities 

• Build Avionics ground equipment and harnessing either from the napkin sketch phase or the replication of existing first article hardware.
• Develop ION build instructions for new product introduction.
• Provide technical expertise during new product introductions
• Incorporate feedback from Production into the design documentation.
• Incorporate mission over mission changes into HITL and manage configuration in RapidHarness.
• Surge support for Production in box builds, harness builds, and vehicle integration.
• Serve as the go-to person for technical guidance and troubleshooting on the production floor.
• Design brackets and fixturing for HITL and eGSE using Protocase to support better integration of harnesses and PCBA.
• Assembly of Terrestrial Hardware PLC cabinets
• Facilitate HITL infrastructure upgrades including power, roof drops, networking by working with Facilities 

Basic Qualifications 

• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate 
• 1+ years of experience working hands-on as a technician in aerospace or aviation sectors
• Teamwork, communication, and problem solving in a collaborative environment
• Basic computer skills 

Preferred Skills And Experience 

• Ability to read and execute work to engineering drawings and schematics
• Assembling and testing propulsion systems
• Assembling and testing electronic components
• Installing rivets, bolts, and HI-LITE fasteners
• Testing integrated complex systems such as satellites, planes, or rockets
• Experience with forklifts, cranes, and lift rigging
• Working in cleanrooms with ESD sensitive components
• Knowledge of pressure, temperature, and load measurement devices
• Proficient with computers and MS Office
• FAA Airframe and PowerPlant license 

Additional Requirements 

• Must be physically able to regularly lift 25 lbs. 
• Must be comfortable bending, stooping, and standing
• Hands-on position requires standing for up to 6 hours a day and working directly with hardware on the floor 

Pay Range

Sr. Technician: $39 to $52 per hour

• 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

 

ITAR Requirements

• Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United State