Director, Mechanisms Engineering - Pharmaceutical Payloads
Core
Lead the development and flight of precision electromechanical fluid-handling systems that process and crystallize pharmaceutical compounds in microgravity.
Role type
Director, Mechanisms Engineering (Pharmaceutical Payloads)
Builds
In-orbit pharmaceutical manufacturing payloads for Varda's W-Series vehicles
Domain
Aerospace / Space Manufacturing / Pharmaceutical Processing
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
electromechanical fluid system design, precision fluid handling, team leadership, system architecture definition, engineering standards establishment, concurrent project management, technical roadmap ownership, environmental test planning, avionics/software/thermal integration, anomaly resolution
Preferred skills
chemical engineering background, cGMP principles, microgravity fluid behavior expertise, regulated hardware environment experience, standardized hardware product offerings
Technologies
electromechanical systems, fluid handling systems, environmental test equipment (vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC)
Responsibilities
Build and lead a team of payload engineers for individual pharmaceutical payload missions; Own the pharmaceutical payload development roadmap and scaling mission cadence; Define system architecture, fluid system design philosophy, and engineering standards; Manage a portfolio of concurrent payload development efforts ensuring schedule and technical performance; Work closely with avionics, software, thermal, and vehicle teams to define interfaces; Standardize processes for environmental testing and post-flight hardware inspection
Seniority
Director, hands-on IC with team leadership