Senior GSE Automation Engineer – Ground Test Systems

Varda Space Industries, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Insurance

Wellness reimbursement

Parental leave

One Medical memberships

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. seeks an experienced Senior Terrestrial Ground Support Equipment Engineer focused on automation and Python. The role designs and builds advanced GSE for space hardware qualification, supporting manufacturing operations from electrical design to commissioning.

You will work with PLCs (TwinCAT 3), EtherCAT, and Python to create robust test infrastructure. You’ll collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver on tight schedules while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering (or related 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 a modern PLC ecosystem—ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text.
• Able to design electrical panels, wiring cabinets, and debug hardware.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain ground test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing.
• Integrate with external hardware (thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition, instrumentation).
• Develop and extend internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling.
• Evaluate real-time control approaches (PLC-based vs Linux-based) for high-frequency control.
• Build cabinets and wire panels end-to-end from design to commissioning.
• Partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.
• Promote sustainable engineering practices to enable quick ramp-up for new engineers.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Test automation

EtherCAT

TwinCAT 3

PLC programming

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT tooling

Job description

Varda Space Industries, Inc. seeks an experienced Senior Terrestrial Ground Support Equipment Engineer focused on automation and Python. The role designs and builds advanced GSE for space hardware qualification, supporting manufacturing operations from electrical design to commissioning.

You will work with PLCs (TwinCAT 3), EtherCAT, and Python to create robust test infrastructure. You’ll collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver on tight schedules while