Senior Space GSE Engineer — Real-Time Test Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation assistance

Fully stocked kitchen

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, is seeking a Controls & Automation engineer to design, build, and own ground test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing. You will expand Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 based control software, integrate with EtherCAT, Modbus, and other protocols, and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams on ambitious timelines.

Join a fast-moving startup with equity incentives, relocation support, and a comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ 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 - Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text (IEC 61131-3) or equivalent.
• Comfort across the full stack: writing control software, designing electrical panels, wiring cabinets, and debugging hardware.
• Thrives in a fast-paced startup where end-to-end ownership is expected.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations.
• Integrate with external hardware including thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, and instrumentation.
• Develop and extend Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 based control software and EtherCAT tooling.
• Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control, including PLC vs Linux-based approaches for high-frequency control.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end from electrical design through commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices to ramp new engineers on the tech stack.

Skills

5+ years experience in test automation

Industrial automation

EtherCAT/Modbus/RS-232

Full stack control software

Startup environment adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

IEC 61131-3

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, is seeking a Controls & Automation engineer to design, build, and own ground test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing. You will expand Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 based control software, integrate with EtherCAT, Modbus, and other protocols, and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams on ambitious timelines.

Join a fast-moving startup with equity incentives, relocation support, and a comprehensive benefits