Space GSE Engineer - Test Systems & Automation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation support

On-site workspace

Healthcare/benefits package

Laboratory facilities access

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, is seeking an Automation and Controls engineer to design, build, and own ground test systems and GSE for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing. You will work with a modern stack, including Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with IEC 61131-3, and contribute to architecture decisions from electrical design through commissioning.

The role requires 2+ years in test automation or industrial controls, hands-on PLC and hardware integration, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 2+ years in test automation, controls, and/or industrial automation.
• Hands-on experience with industrial hardware and PLCs, especially Beckhoff TwinCAT 3.
• Ability to work across electrical design, wiring, and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations.
• Integrate with external hardware, including thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, and instrumentation.
• Develop and extend Varda's PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to support evolving program needs.
• Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control implementation, including evaluation of PLC-based (TwinCAT 3) versus Linux-based approaches.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end from electrical design through commissioning.
• Partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver test infrastructure on aggressive timelines.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices that enable new engineers to ramp quickly on the tech stack.

Skills

Test automation

Industrial automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Electrical fundamentals

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT tooling

PLC programming

Electrical panel wiring

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, is seeking an Automation and Controls engineer to design, build, and own ground test systems and GSE for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing. You will work with a modern stack, including Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with IEC 61131-3, and contribute to architecture decisions from electrical design through commissioning.

The role requires 2+ years in test automation or industrial controls, hands-on PLC and hardware integration, and the ability to