Spaceflight Test Automation Engineer II

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Stock options

401(k) retirement plan with employer 6

Wellness reimbursement

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, is hiring a Mechanical Test Engineer II, Automation to build bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing. You will design, build, and own GSE and test systems including propulsion stands and environmental chambers.

You will work with Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling, integrate mechanical, electrical, and fluid systems, and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in mechanical design or industrial automation.
• Experience with Solidworks, NX CAD or comparable.
• Experience with electrical wiring for cabinets, PLCs, harnesses and connectors.
• Experience with Altium or comparable schematic design; migrating to EPLAN.
• Hands-on experience with high-pressure gas or fluid systems.
• Environmental test experience (TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration).
• Experience integrating with EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485 or similar.
• Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 or eagerness to develop there.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing.
• Ensure test infrastructure uptime and predictable performance.
• Be Responsible Engineer for centrifuges, TVACs, prop test stands and related test rigs.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and manage end-to-end commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams on timelines.
• Read and modify Varda's PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling as needed.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices and maintain thorough documentation.

Skills

Mechanical design

Industrial automation

Electrical wiring

GSE development

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field

Tools

Solidworks

NX CAD

Altium

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT tooling

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA, is hiring a Mechanical Test Engineer II, Automation to build bespoke test infrastructure for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing. You will design, build, and own GSE and test systems including propulsion stands and environmental chambers.

You will work with Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling, integrate mechanical, electrical, and fluid systems, and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to meet aggressive timelines.