Spaceflight Ground Test Systems Engineer II

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

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Ground Support Mechanical Design Engineer II to build and own GSE and test systems for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing.

You will design, assemble, and integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation subsystems, using SolidWorks/NX, Altium, and Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 in a fast-paced startup setting. This on-site role offers competitive pay, stock options, and opportunities to shape testing infrastructure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• 3+ years in mechanical design or industrial automation.
• Experience with SolidWorks, NX CAD.
• Experience with electrical wiring for cabinets, PLCs, harnesses, connectors.
• Experience with Altium and migrating to EPLAN.
• Hands-on experience with high-pressure gas or fluid systems.
• Environmental test experience (TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration).
• Experience developing propulsion test stands or complex test infrastructure.
• Hands-on with EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485 or similar protocols.
• Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 (IEC 61131-3) experience or eagerness to develop expertise.
• Thrives in fast-paced startup environments with end-to-end ownership.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain GSE and test systems for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing.
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation subsystems.
• Execute concept-to-fabrication workflows including commissioning and support.
• Manage rapid R&D test setups and long-term test infrastructure improvements.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet timelines.
• Read and adapt Varda's PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling as needed.
• Document systems with clear procedures and schematics.

Skills

Mechanical design

Industrial automation

GSE development

Systems integration

Project ownership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX CAD

Altium

EPLAN

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT

Modbus

RS-232/485

Job description

Varda Space Industries, Inc. in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Ground Support Mechanical Design Engineer II to build and own GSE and test systems for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing.

You will design, assemble, and integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation subsystems, using SolidWorks/NX, Altium, and Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 in a fast-paced startup setting. This on-site role offers competitive pay, stock options, and opportunities to shape testing infrastructure