Senior Ground Test Systems Engineer - Automation & Controls

Telemetry Today LLC; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Senior Terrestrial Automation & Controls Engineer to design and build test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification.

You will develop ground support equipment, integrate with external hardware, and advance a modern PLC/EtherCAT stack, influencing architecture decisions and setting standards for multi-subsystem test systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years in test automation, controls, or industrial automation.
• Hands-on experience with EtherCAT, Modbus (TCP/RTU), RS-232/485 or similar protocols.
• Experience with modern PLC ecosystems, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text (IEC 61131-3).
• Comfort designing electrical panels, wiring cabinets, debugging hardware, and writing control software.
• Thrives in fast-paced startup environments with end-to-end ownership.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing.
• Integrate Hardware: thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, DAQ, sensors.
• Extend internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to support evolving needs.
• Evaluate real-time control approaches (TwinCAT 3 vs Linux) for high-frequency control.
• Assemble cabinets, wire panels, and own end-to-end system commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet timelines.
• Mentor new engineers and promote sustainable engineering practices.

Skills

EtherCAT

Modbus

RS-232/485

TwinCAT 3

IEC 61131-3

Electrical panels

Startup experience

Control software

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

Job description

Varda Space Industries, Inc. in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Senior Terrestrial Automation & Controls Engineer to design and build test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification.

You will develop ground support equipment, integrate with external hardware, and advance a modern PLC/EtherCAT stack, influencing architecture decisions and setting standards for multi-subsystem test systems.