Automation & Mechanical Test Engineer II – Space Hardware

Varda Space Industries, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term incentives

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Design & Test Engineer II, Automation in El Segundo, CA to build and own bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing.

You will integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation systems into cohesive platforms and drive end-to-end ownership from concept through commissioning. The role emphasizes rapid R&D test setups, long-term improvements, and collaboration with propulsion, avionics, GNC,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• 3+ years of industry experience in mechanical design or industrial automation.
• Extensive experience using Solidworks, NX CAD or comparable.
• Experience with electrical wiring for cabinets, PLCs, harnesses, connectors, etc.
• Experience with Altium or comparable electronic schematic design software. We are migrating to EPLAN!
• Hands-on experience working with high-pressure gas or fluid systems.
• Environmental test experience, including TVAC, thermal cycling, and vibration testing.
• Experience developing propulsion test stands or other complex, multi-subsystem test infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience integrating with industrial hardware over protocols such as EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations including data acquisition systems (Pelican DAQ, Load cell DAQ, Accelerometer DAQ, prop test stands, fill carts), thermal control systems (chillers, heaters, Ln2), PLC cabinets, and gas/liquid systems (valves, ducers, solenoids, flowmeters).
• Test infrastructure achieves >99% uptime and predictable performance.
• Be the Responsible Engineer for test infrastructure including centrifuges, TVACs, prop test stands, prop fill carts, prop gas benches, prop water flow stands and torch test stands.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end from electrical design through commissioning.
• Partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver test infrastructure that meets their needs on aggressive timelines.
• Read, deploy and make minor edits to Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to support evolving program need.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices that enable new engineers to ramp quickly on the tech stack and maintain production systems reliably. All systems are thoroughly documented, with clear, accessible procedures and schematics.

Skills

Mechanical design

Industrial automation

Solidworks/NX CAD

Electrical wiring

Schematic design tools

High-pressure gas/fluid systems

Environmental testing

Propulsion test stands

Industrial hardware interfaces

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

Startup mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Pelican DAQ

Load cell DAQ

Accelerometer DAQ

EtherCAT tooling

PLC cabinets

GSE tooling

Job description

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Design & Test Engineer II, Automation in El Segundo, CA to build and own bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing.

You will integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation systems into cohesive platforms and drive end-to-end ownership from concept through commissioning. The role emphasizes rapid R&D test setups, long-term improvements, and collaboration with propulsion, avionics, GNC,