Senior Avionics Test Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Relocation support

Stock options

401(k)

Job summary

Varda seeks an Avionics Test Engineer in El Segundo, CA to design and operate test systems for spacecraft avionics and to ensure readiness for spaceflight through rigorous environmental testing. You will develop Python-based test procedures, analyze data, and collaborate with cross-functional engineers to validate performance across extreme conditions.

This role includes mentoring and advancing test automation in a fast-paced startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in system validation, component testing, or test software development with at least 3 years on aerospace test systems.
• Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python.
• Experience with electronics test equipment including power supplies, DAQ systems, electronic loads, oscilloscopes and multimeters.
• Familiarity with sensors (thermocouples, RTDs, 4-20mA).
• Proficiency with Git source control.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate test systems for spacecraft avionics components and assemblies to fully exercise components during environmental stress testing and component acceptance testing.
• Develop software in Python to implement and execute test procedures, analyze test data, assess pass/fail criteria, and generate test reports.
• Collaborate with component REs to identify test cases and develop testing strategies to ensure avionics meet performance standards.
• Craft comprehensive test plans for flight hardware and conduct qualification, acceptance, and proto-flight tests.
• Work with avionics test systems engineers and manufacturing engineers to standardize test software behavior and data reporting.
• Contribute to engineering best practices and increasing test automation and efficiency.
• Collaborate with avionics systems and flight software engineers to develop and operate HITL testbeds.
• Mentor and train new engineers.

Skills

Python

Git

HITL testing

Unix environments

Test software

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CS

Tools

DAQ systems

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

Electronic loads

Power supplies

Job description

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

As an Avionics Test Engineer, you'll play a key role in the design and operation of critical systems that simulate and stress-test flight hardware to prove it is ready for its trip to space. Your work will be instrumental in ensuring the success of our Winnebago-class spacecraft and future ambitious projects. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring the vehicle meets its mission objectives, from space manufacturing to hypersonic testing during reentry. This is your opportunity to contribute to technologies that are defining the future of space exploration and make an impact that reaches far beyond the stars.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate test systems for spacecraft avionics components and assemblies to fully exercise components during environmental stress testing and component acceptance testing.
• Develop software in Python to implement and execute test procedures, analyze test data, assess pass/fail criteria, and generate test reports.
• Collaborate with component Responsible Engineers (REs) to identify test cases and develop innovative testing strategies to ensure avionics products meet their intended performance standards across extreme conditions.
• Craft comprehensive test plans for flight hardware, manage and conduct qualification, acceptance, and proto-flight tests.
• Work closely with avionics test systems engineers and manufacturing engineers to standardize test software behavior, user interfaces, and data reporting.
• Contribute to developing engineering best practices, focusing on increased test automation and efficiency.
• Collaborate with avionics systems and flight software engineers to develop and operate Hardware in the Loop (HITL) testbeds to simulate the spacecraft on the ground and ensure all systems are mission-ready.
• Draw from your experiences to help mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the team.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in system validation, component testing, or test software development withat least 3 years working on aerospace test systems.
• Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python.
• Experience with electronics test equipment including power supplies, DAQ systems, electronic loads, oscilloscopes and multimeters.
• Familiarity with common sensor types, including thermocouples, RTDs and 4-20mA devices.
• Proficiency with Git source control system.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Prior experience standing up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and driving and operating system-level tests.
• Familiarity with Unix environments.
• Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
• Experience operating environmental test equipment (vibration shakers, TVAC chambers, or thermal chambers).
• Strong project or program management skills.
• Thrive in a dynamic work environment that values teamwork, innovation, and tackling challenges head-on. Be prepared for exposure to diverse tasks and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Pay Range

• Salary range:
  
  • Engineer II: $119,543 - $152,749/per year
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Consider your benefits covered for launch.At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

• 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
• Voluntaryaccident, hospital, critical illness,andpet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents
• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediatelyvested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Intern Positions:

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000gross up in relocation support, ifeligible
• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

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.

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Varda Space Industries’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.