Spaceflight Automation & Controls Engineer II

Telemetry Today LLC; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Stock options/long-term incentives

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer II to design and build bespoke test infrastructure and ground support equipment for spaceflight hardware qualification. You will own architecture decisions, including PLC-based and Linux-based real-time control approaches, and contribute to standards that outlast individual programs.

You will collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable test systems on tight timelines, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience in test automation, controls, or industrial automation.
• Hands-on experience with EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485.
• Experience with at least one PLC ecosystem (Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 preferred).
• Comfort designing electrical panels and wiring cabinets; end-to-end ownership of systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification.
• Integrate with external hardware including thermal vacuum chambers and pressure systems.
• Extend PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling for evolving program needs.
• Evaluate real-time control approaches (TwinCAT 3 vs Linux-based) for high-frequency control.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems from electrical design to commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.

Skills

Test automation

Controls engineering

EtherCAT

TwinCAT 3

Electrical panels

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT tooling

PLC programming

Modbus/RS-232/485

Job description

Varda Space Industries is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer II to design and build bespoke test infrastructure and ground support equipment for spaceflight hardware qualification. You will own architecture decisions, including PLC-based and Linux-based real-time control approaches, and contribute to standards that outlast individual programs.

You will collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable test systems on tight timelines, while