Senior Space Test & Automation Engineer

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA seeks a Senior Automation and Controls Engineer to build bespoke test infrastructure qualifying spaceflight hardware for orbit. You will design, build, and own GSE and test systems, including propulsion test stands, environmental chambers, and integration testing, using a modern stack with TwinCAT/Beckhoff and EtherCAT.

You’ll influence architecture decisions, collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams, and champion sustainable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in test automation, controls, or industrial automation.
• Experience integrating with industrial hardware over EtherCAT, Modbus (TCP/RTU), RS-232/485.
• Experience with at least one modern PLC ecosystem - Beckhoff/TwinCAT.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations.
• Integrate with external hardware such as thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, and data acquisition hardware.
• Develop and extend Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling for evolving program needs.
• Evaluate PLC-based (TwinCAT 3) vs Linux-based approaches for high-frequency control applications.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and own end-to-end electrical design and commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices enabling new engineers to ramp quickly on the tech stack.

Skills

Test automation

Controls engineering

Industrial automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

EtherCAT

Modbus TCP/RTU

RS-232/485

TwinCAT 3

Beckhoff

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA seeks a Senior Automation and Controls Engineer to build bespoke test infrastructure qualifying spaceflight hardware for orbit. You will design, build, and own GSE and test systems, including propulsion test stands, environmental chambers, and integration testing, using a modern stack with TwinCAT/Beckhoff and EtherCAT.

You’ll influence architecture decisions, collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams, and champion sustainable