Senior Spacecraft Test Automation & Controls Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation assistance

401(k) with match

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Varda Space Industries seeks a Senior Automation and Controls Engineer to design and maintain advanced test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware at our El Segundo facility. You will own ground support equipment and qualification systems, with a focus on real-time control using PLCs and TwinCAT 3.

The role encompasses building electrical panels, integrating diverse hardware, and guiding architecture decisions across propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams in a fast-paced startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in test automation, controls, or industrial automation.
• Hands-on experience with industrial hardware protocols (EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485).
• Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Ability to design electrical panels, wire cabinets, and debug hardware.
• Experience in fast-paced startup environments with end-to-end ownership.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations.
• Integrate with external hardware including environmental chambers, ovens, chillers, and data acquisition systems.
• Develop and extend internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to adapt to program needs.
• Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control, evaluating PLC vs Linux approaches.
• Build cabinets and wire panels; own systems end-to-end from design to commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.

Skills

Real-time control

PLC programming

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT

Python orchestration

Electrical panel design

System integration

Debugging hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT tooling

IEC 61131-3 languages

PLC ecosystems

Job description

Varda Space Industries seeks a Senior Automation and Controls Engineer to design and maintain advanced test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware at our El Segundo facility. You will own ground support equipment and qualification systems, with a focus on real-time control using PLCs and TwinCAT 3.

The role encompasses building electrical panels, integrating diverse hardware, and guiding architecture decisions across propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams in a fast-paced startup.