On-Site Terrestrial Controls Engineer: Automation & Python

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) with company match

Relocation assistance

On-site in El Segundo

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, based in El Segundo, CA, is hiring for a Controls & Automation role to design and own test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware. You will build and integrate GSE, develop PLC-based control software, and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.

The role requires hands-on electrical and control experience in a startup environment, with responsibilities spanning hardware wiring, testing, and software development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of industry experience in test automation, controls, and/or industrial automation.
• Hands-on experience integrating with industrial hardware over protocols such as EtherCAT, Modbus (TCP/RTU), RS-232/485 serial, or similar communication standards.
• Experience with at least one modern PLC ecosystem - ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text (IEC 61131-3).
• Comfort working across the full stack: writing control software, designing electrical panels, wiring cabinets, and debugging hardware.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift, and end-to-end ownership of problems is expected.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations.
• Integrate with a wide range of external hardware, including thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, and precision instrumentation.
• Develop and extend Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to support evolving program needs.
• Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control implementation, including evaluation of PLC-based (TwinCAT 3) versus Linux-based approaches for high-frequency control applications.
• 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.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices that enable new engineers to ramp quickly on the tech stack and maintain production systems reliably.

Skills

EtherCAT

TwinCAT 3

PLC programming

Electrical panels

System debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT tooling

IEC 61131-3

Job description

Varda Space Industries, based in El Segundo, CA, is hiring for a Controls & Automation role to design and own test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware. You will build and integrate GSE, develop PLC-based control software, and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.

The role requires hands-on electrical and control experience in a startup environment, with responsibilities spanning hardware wiring, testing, and software development.