Space Automation & Controls Engineer II – GSE & PLC

Varda Space Industries, Inc.; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO policy

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Relocation support

Stock options

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking an Terrestrial Automation and Controls Engineer II to design and implement bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification.

You will develop ground support equipment, integrate with diverse hardware, and shape real-time control architecture with modern PLC tooling. The role requires hands-on panel wiring, electrical design, and collaboration across propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
• 2+ years in test automation, controls, and/or industrial automation.

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, data acquisition hardware, and instrumentation.
• Develop and extend Varda's PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to meet program needs.
• Evaluate real-time control approaches (TwinCAT 3 vs Linux) for high-frequency control.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and own end-to-end systems from electrical design through commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices to accelerate ramp-up for new engineers.

Skills

Test automation

Industrial automation

Real-time control

GSE experience

PLC systems

EtherCAT

Modbus

RS-232/RS-485

Python orchestration

System integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT tooling

Job description

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking an Terrestrial Automation and Controls Engineer II to design and implement bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification.

You will develop ground support equipment, integrate with diverse hardware, and shape real-time control architecture with modern PLC tooling. The role requires hands-on panel wiring, electrical design, and collaboration across propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams in a fast-paced startup environment.