Environmental Test Lab Manager
Vardaspace · El Segundo, California, United States · Posted Jun 24, 2026
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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 building the infrastructure for in-space manufacturing and routine return from orbit. As Environmental Test Lab Manager, you will lead the facilities responsible for proving our spacecraft can survive launch, spaceflight, and return to Earth. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on executing fast, rigorous environmental test campaigns that keep flight hardware moving and missions on track.
Responsibilities
Lead day-to-day environmental test lab operations for spacecraft and vehicle hardware
Plan and execute vibration, shock, thermal, and thermal vacuum test campaigns
Partner with design, production, integration, and mission teams to define test requirements and priorities
Build and improve lab processes, procedures, safety practices, and test readiness standards
Manage lab technicians and test engineers while driving high standards for execution and documentation
Own equipment readiness, calibration, maintenance, and lab capacity planning
Support anomaly resolution, failure investigations, and test report generation
Coordinate outside test support when needed
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field
5+ years of environmental test experience on aerospace or other high-reliability hardware
Experience with vibe, shock, thermal cycling, and TVAC testing
Strong leadership, organization, and cross-functional communication skills
Ability to move quickly and make sound decisions around flight hardware
Preferred Qualifications
Experience testing spacecraft, reentry systems, or launch vehicle hardware
Familiarity with qualification and acceptance testing in aerospace
Background with additional test methods such as EMI/EMC, acoustics, leak, or pressure testing
Experience scaling lab operations in a fast-paced hardware company
Pay Range
Salary Range: $130,000 - $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 U…