Senior Space Automation & Test Systems Engineer

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation assistance

Medical, Dental & Vision insurance

Wellness reimbursement

Parental leave

One Medical membership

401(k) match

Cell phone reimbursement

Relocation support for new hires

Job summary

Varda Space Industries seeks a Senior Terrestrial Automation and Controls Engineer to build bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware. You will design, build, and own GSE and test systems, including propulsion test stands and environmental chambers, using a modern stack with Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling.

You’ll influence architecture decisions and define standards, collaborating across propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing on aggressive timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in test automation, controls, or industrial automation.
• Hands-on integration with industrial hardware over EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485.
• Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Comfort designing electrical panels, wiring, debugging hardware, and writing control software.
• Thrives in a fast-paced startup with end-to-end ownership.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification.
• Integrate with external hardware like vacuum chambers, ovens, and data acquisition.
• Develop and extend internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling.
• Advise on real-time control implementation options (TwinCAT 3 vs Linux).
• Assemble cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end to commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing on timelines.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices for quick ramp and reliability.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Eng

5+ years in test automation

Industrial automation

EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 (structured text)

Full stack electrical design

Startup environment adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

Job description

Varda Space Industries seeks a Senior Terrestrial Automation and Controls Engineer to build bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware. You will design, build, and own GSE and test systems, including propulsion test stands and environmental chambers, using a modern stack with Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling.

You’ll influence architecture decisions and define standards, collaborating across propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing on aggressive timelines.