Mechanisms Technician (Aerospace)
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $61.9k–$72.8k a year. Open technician jobs in California post a median of $73.9k a year, the middle half $61.6k–$83.2k, across 24 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.
About the job
## 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 The Mechanisms Technician is responsible for the assembly, integration, testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance of mechanical systems and fluid handling devices mechanisms used in aerospace vehicles and equipment.
This role supports engineering and production teams to ensure high reliability and performance of precision components in demanding environments, including fluid-based systems used in pharmaceutical applications. ## Key Responsibilities - Assemble, install, and integrate aerospace mechanical systems and mechanisms (e.g., actuators, hinges, deployment systems, gear assemblies). - Assemble and support fluid handling devices and systems (e.g., valves, tubing assemblies, manifolds) used in pharmaceutical or controlled environments. - Perform functional testing, calibration, and validation of mechanical components, subsystems and fluid devices. - Troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical issues using schematics, technical drawings, and test data. - Support environmental and performance testing (vibration, thermal, vacuum, etc.). - Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and work instructions. - Maintain detailed records of builds, tests, and inspections and fluid system validations in compliance with aerospace standards. - Collaboration with engineers to improve designs, manufacturability, reliability, and fluid system performance. - Perform preventative maintenance and repairs on test equipment, mechanical systems, and fluid handling equipment . - Ensure adherence to safety protocols and quality standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO). - Assist with root cause analysis and corrective actions for mechanical and fluid system failures or anomalies. ## Required Qualifications - Associate’s degree or technical certification in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Aerospace Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience). - 3-5+ years of hands-on experience with precision mechanical assembly, preferably in aerospace, satellite, or defense manufacturing. - Experience with fluid handling systems, including tubing, fittings, pumps, or valves (pharma or similar industries preferred). - Proficiency with precision tools, measurement instruments, and assembly techniques. - Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and schematics. - Familiarity with mechanical systems such as gears, bearings, linkages, actuators adhesive bonding and component alignment. - Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. - Attention to detail and ability to work in a high-precision environment. ## Preferred Qualifications - Experience in aerospace, space systems, or pharmaceutical/biotech manufacturing. - Knowledge of cleanroom procedures and contamination control. - Experience with environmental testing (thermal, vibration, vacuum). - Understanding of materials, tolerances, and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing). - Experience working with electromechanical systems. ## Key Skills - Mechanical assembly and integration - Precision measurement and inspection - Troubleshooting and diagnostics - Technical documentation - Team collaboration - Quality assurance and compliance ## Work Environment - May work in laboratories, manufacturing floors, or cleanroom environments. - Requires use of PPE and adherence to strict safety and quality standards.
May involve standing for long periods and handling delicate or heavy components. ## Pay Range Technician I: $29.75 to $35 per hour Technician II: $35 to $42 per hour Sr.
Technician: $43 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 States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.
Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. “US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.
1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum). ## E-Verify Statement Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice Read more Read more Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance.
We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
From Varda Space Industries's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
Selected agencies hiring now
Moseley Technical ServicesEngineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm in Huntsville, Alabama, placing engineers and A&P, sheet metal, CNC and quality technicians.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
Sterling EngineeringEngineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm for manufacturers, aerospace suppliers among them.
Places: Mechanical, Technicians, Quality
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.
New space manufacturing and technician jobs in California, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
About Varda Space Industries
The first orbital manufacturing and reentry platform.
Pay on its listings: 78.6% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Varda Space Industries's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
More open jobs at Varda Space Industries
- CNC Lathe Machinist I and II, Prototype Shop$29–$40/hr
- Site Reliability Internship - Summer 2027
- Senior CNC 5-Axis Mill Machinist, Prototype Shop$46.75–$63.25/hr
- Senior CNC Multi-Axis Lathe Machinist, Prototype Shop$46.75–$63.25/hr
- Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Controls$140,333–$179,314/yr
- Senior Automation & Controls Engineer$140,333–$179,314/yr
More space manufacturing and technician jobs
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer I - Avionics & Test$115,200–$144,000/yr
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer II - Avionics & Test$132,000–$176,000/yr
- Manufacturing Engineer$100,000–$130,000/yr
- Manufacturing Engineer (Tanks)$68,000–$80,000/yr
- CNC Lathe Machinist I and II, Prototype Shop$29–$40/hr
- Manufacturing Engineer, Machining & Additive Associate (Winter 2027)$1,925/wk
A certified technician, machinist or welder?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
Varda Space Industries openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from Varda Space Industries's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.