Senior Space Systems Automation Engineer - Python & PLCs

Vardaspace; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 169,000 - 216,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Relocation assistance

401(k) match

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, is seeking a Senior Software Automation and Controls Engineer to build test infrastructure and ground support equipment for spaceflight hardware. You will own end-to-end testing architecture across software, electrical, and mechanical domains.

You’ll work on a small, fast-growing team with ownership over PLC frameworks (TwinCAT 3) and EtherCAT tooling, shaping how test automation scales from propulsion to spacecraft integration in a hands-on startup

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of industry experience in test automation, controls, or industrial automation.
• Strong Python skills for hardware control or test automation applications.
• Hands-on experience with EtherCAT, Modbus, serial, or similar protocols.
• Experience with modern PLC ecosystems, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text.
• Comfort across the stack: control software, electrical panels, wiring cabinets, and debugging hardware.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment with end-to-end ownership.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing.
• Integrate with external hardware: thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, instrumentation.
• Develop and extend the internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling.
• Evaluate real-time control approaches (TwinCAT 3 vs Linux-based) 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.
• Foster sustainable engineering practices to onboard new engineers to the tech stack.

Skills

Python

EtherCAT

Modbus

PLC programming

TwinCAT 3

Electrical design

System integration

Education

BS in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT tooling

Docker

Grafana/InfluxDB

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, is seeking a Senior Software Automation and Controls Engineer to build test infrastructure and ground support equipment for spaceflight hardware. You will own end-to-end testing architecture across software, electrical, and mechanical domains.

You’ll work on a small, fast-growing team with ownership over PLC frameworks (TwinCAT 3) and EtherCAT tooling, shaping how test automation scales from propulsion to spacecraft integration in a hands-on startup