Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Avionics

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Relocation help

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA options

PTO + holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking an experienced Avionics Engineer to lead design, integration, and testing of avionics for the Winnebago vehicle. You will coordinate with multiple engineering teams to ensure systems meet mission objectives, from space manufacturing to reentry.

You will develop electrical architecture, run verification plans on HITL hardware, and mentor junior engineers. This on-site role in El Segundo offers equity and relocation support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in system design, test planning, and validation.
• Proficiency in Python programming and debugging.
• Experience with power supplies, DAQ systems, RTD, and 4-20mA devices.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross functional teams to define project scopes and requirements, guiding designs from concept to prototype and production.
• Develop electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets for power, telemetry, and mass predictions for vehicle integration.
• Analyze architecture for faults and risks; create mitigation plans and support FDIR or workarounds when hardware is unfeasible.
• Conduct verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware, ensuring readiness for launch and mission objectives.
• Participate in mission operations as an Avionics specialist or system operator, determining system health and corrective actions.
• Oversee integration of Winnebago avionics systems and act as primary contact for integrated systems investigations.
• Design/build/operate HITL testbeds to simulate spacecraft and ensure systems are mission ready.
• Develop avionics ground infrastructure and test racks; contribute to engineering best practices and testing efficiency.
• Mentor and train engineers to foster learning and continuous improvement.

Skills

Python programming

System design

Test planning

Validation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Computer Science

Tools

Power supplies

Modular DAQ systems

RTD

4-20mA devices

General test equipment

Job description

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

What you will do (Job Responsibilities)

The Avionics Systems team has a comprehensive role overseeing the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for our Winnebago vehicle. We ensure that all systems are ready for both launch and operational phases, requiring a deep understanding of avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. This role involves close collaboration with various engineering teams, where you will navigate and resolve conflicting requirements to achieve seamless system integration. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring the vehicle meets its mission objectives, from space manufacturing to hypersonic testing during reentry.

• Collaborate with cross functional teams to define project scopes and initial requirements, guiding designs fromconcept to prototype and full-scale production.
• Develop electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets to account for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions used to communicate closing vehicle solutions to company level objectives.
• Analyze architecture for potential faults and risks, develop comprehensive mitigation plans, resolve uncertainties, and collaborate on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) or operational workarounds when hardware solutions are unfeasible.
• Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware, ensuring readinessfor launch and compliance with mission objectives for space and reentry operations
• Participate in mission operations as an Avionics specialist or system operator, where you’ll determine system health, suggest corrective actions, and to reentry commit criteria for operational success.
• Oversee the integration of the Winnebago avionics systems, acting as the primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations
• Design, build, and operate the Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds, simulating the spacecraft on the ground to ensure all systems are mission ready
• Develop avionics ground infrastructure, supporting the design and integration of test racks and R&D equipmentused to power and communicate with the flight vehicles. Contribute to developing engineering best practices, focusing on increased test automation and efficiency.
• Draw from your experiences to help mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the team.

What you will bring (Basic Qualifications)

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience: At least 5 years of experience in system design, test planning, and validation.
• Programming Skills: Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python.
• Technical Expertise: Experience with power supplies, modular DAQ systems, RTD and 4-20mA devices, andgeneral test equipment.

What would be a plus (Preferred Qualifications)

• Proven experience taking vehicle electrical systems from concept to operational production.
• Prior experience setting up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and conducting system level tests.
• Familiarity with Unix environments and the ability to use command line utilities.
• Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
• Strong project or program management skills

How Varda compensates

• Salary range: $169,000 - $216,000 annually.
• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance.
• Offer compensation also includes the ability to receive stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan.

#LI-VSI

Benefits

Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive(at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):

Health & Wellness

• Flexible PTO policy +12 paid holidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• Voluntaryaccident, hospital, critical illness,andpet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• Family building, pregnancy,parentingand menopausebenefitsvia Maven Clinic
• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.