Space Mechanical Design & Test Engineer II

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term incentives

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, based in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Mechanical Design & Test Engineer II, Automation to build bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware. You design, build, and own ground support equipment and test systems, including propulsion test stands and environmental chambers, using a modern stack.

You will integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation systems and drive rapid R&D and long-term improvements while collaborating with propulsion, avionics, GNC,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• 3+ years in mechanical design or industrial automation.
• Extensive SolidWorks/NX CAD experience.
• Electrical wiring for cabinets, PLCs, harnesses, connectors.
• Altium or similar schematic design; EPLAN migration noted.
• Hands-on with high-pressure gas or fluid systems.
• Environmental testing: TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration.
• Experience with propulsion test stands or complex test infra.
• Proficiency with EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485 protocols.
• Experience with Béckhoff TwinCAT 3 or eagerness to develop.
• Thrives in fast-paced startup environments with ownership.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing.
• Develop data acquisition systems, thermal control, PLC cabinets, and gas/liquid systems.
• Ensure test infrastructure uptime >99% and reliable performance.
• Serve as Responsible Engineer for test infrastructure including centrifuges and TVACs.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams on timelines.
• Read, deploy, and edit Varda's PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling as needed.
• Document systems with clear procedures and schematics.

Skills

Solidworks/NX CAD

Automation

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT

Altium

Instrumentation wiring

Job description

Varda Space Industries, based in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Mechanical Design & Test Engineer II, Automation to build bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware. You design, build, and own ground support equipment and test systems, including propulsion test stands and environmental chambers, using a modern stack.

You will integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation systems and drive rapid R&D and long-term improvements while collaborating with propulsion, avionics, GNC,