Space Ground Support Equipment Engineer – Automation & Python

Vardaspace; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

Varda Space Industries seeks a Controls & Automation engineer to design, build, and own test infrastructure for space hardware qualification and manufacturing. You will develop GSE, integrate with environmental chambers and precision instrumentation, and help shape real-time control architecture.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering and 2+ years in automation, with expertise in EtherCAT, PLCs, and industrial hardware integration. On-site work in El Segundo, CA is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years in test automation, controls, or industrial automation.
• Experience with EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485 or similar protocols.
• Experience with TwinCAT 3 and IEC 61131-3; willingness to deepen expertise.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations.
• Integrate with external hardware (thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition).
• Develop and extend internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling.
• Contribute to real-time control architecture decisions (PLC vs Linux).
• Assemble cabinets, wire panels, and own end-to-end systems from design to commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet timelines.

Skills

Test automation

Industrial automation

EtherCAT

PLC programming

System integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT tooling

IEC 61131-3

Job description

Varda Space Industries seeks a Controls & Automation engineer to design, build, and own test infrastructure for space hardware qualification and manufacturing. You will develop GSE, integrate with environmental chambers and precision instrumentation, and help shape real-time control architecture.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering and 2+ years in automation, with expertise in EtherCAT, PLCs, and industrial hardware integration. On-site work in El Segundo, CA is expected.