Spaceflight Test & Controls Engineer II

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Stock options

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive health plan

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA seeks an Automation and Controls Engineer II to design, build, and qualify ground test systems for spaceflight hardware. You'll work across PLCs, EtherCAT, and advanced test environments to enable reliable space-ready hardware.

The role emphasizes end-to-end ownership, architecture input, and collaboration with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams in a fast-paced startup setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 2+ years in test automation, controls, or industrial automation.
• Experience with EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485 or similar.
• Experience with TwinCAT 3 and IEC 61131-3 is preferred.
• Ability to design, wire, and troubleshoot control systems end-to-end.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification.
• Integrate with external hardware (vacuum chambers, ovens, pressure systems).
• Develop and extend PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling.
• Evaluate PLC-based vs Linux real-time control approaches.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end from electrical design to commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams on timelines.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices for quicker ramp and reliability.

Skills

Test automation

Controls engineering

Industrial automation

EtherCAT

Modbus

RS-232/485

TwinCAT 3

PLC development

Electrical panel design

Systems integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT 3

IEC 61131-3

EtherCAT tooling

Job description

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA seeks an Automation and Controls Engineer II to design, build, and qualify ground test systems for spaceflight hardware. You'll work across PLCs, EtherCAT, and advanced test environments to enable reliable space-ready hardware.

The role emphasizes end-to-end ownership, architecture input, and collaboration with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams in a fast-paced startup setting.