Director, Payloads Systems Integration and Test
Core
Lead multidisciplinary engineers for end-to-end mission success of diverse payloads (inertial, RF, optical sensors, communication systems, pharmaceutical processing) on Varda's W-Series vehicles, ensuring flight hardware operates in orbit, survives hypersonic reentry, and returns to Earth.
Role type
Director, Payload Systems Integration and Test
Builds
Flight hardware for orbital missions and hypersonic reentry capsules
Domain
Aerospace / Space Infrastructure / Pharmaceutical Processing
Required skills
Spacecraft/aerospace hardware integration and test, Environmental qualification planning, Interface engineering (ICDs, requirements flow-down), Team leadership and hiring, Cleanroom operations and contamination control, Customer-facing technical scoping, Mechanical/thermal/fluidic/electrical/software interface breadth
Preferred skills
TS/SCI security clearance eligibility, Fluidic/thermal/process hardware test experience, Hosted/rideshare payload accommodation experience, Reentry/recovery/landed-vehicle experience, Defense/government program experience, New function/team setup experience
Technologies
Varda W-Series vehicles, C-PICA heat shields, Satellite buses, Cleanroom environments
Responsibilities
Build and lead the Payload Systems Integration & Test team; Own integration and test for internal pharmaceutical processing payloads; Partner with Payload & Mechanisms development engineers on design; Define payload interface requirements and standards documentation; Plan and execute payload integration and test campaigns; Coordinate with Vehicle Integration & Test and Mission Management; Support payload operations through flight, reentry, and recovery; Establish and mature processes for scaling payload integration.
Seniority
Director, strategic leadership with hands-on technical authority
