Space Hardware Controls Engineer II: Test Systems Lead

vardaspace; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Varda is hiring a Hardware Automation and Controls Engineer II to design and build sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification. You will develop real-time control solutions, including PLC-based and Linux-based approaches, and work with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.

You will own end-to-end systems, from electrical design and wiring cabinets to commissioning, in a fast-paced startup

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years in test automation, controls, or industrial automation.
• Hands-on with industrial hardware communications (EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485).
• Experience with PLC ecosystems, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with IEC 61131-3.
• Ability to design electrical panels and wiring, and to debug hardware.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification.
• Integrate with external hardware like vactors such as thermal chambers and data acquisition systems.
• Develop and extend the internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling.
• Evaluate real-time control approaches (TwinCAT 3 vs Linux-based) for high-frequency control.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and own end-to-end systems from design to commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams on timelines.
• Promote sustainable engineering practices to help new engineers ramp up.

Skills

Automation experience

Real-time control

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT

Modbus

Job description

Varda is hiring a Hardware Automation and Controls Engineer II to design and build sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification. You will develop real-time control solutions, including PLC-based and Linux-based approaches, and work with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.

You will own end-to-end systems, from electrical design and wiring cabinets to commissioning, in a fast-paced startup