Spaceflight Test Systems Lead — Automation

Varda Space Industries, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation assistance

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k) retirement with match

Relocation support

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Senior Mechanical Test Engineer, Automation to build bespoke ground test systems for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing.

You will own complex test platforms and have hands-on responsibility from concept through fabrication and commissioning. You will integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid subsystems, work with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and EtherCAT tooling, and partner with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams to meet

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years in mechanical design or industrial automation.
• Experience with Solidworks, NX CAD or comparable.
• Experience wiring cabinets, PLCs, harnesses and connectors.
• Experience with Altium or similar schematic design software; migrating to EPLAN.
• Hands-on with high-pressure gas or fluid systems.
• Environmental test experience: TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration.
• Experience developing complex test infrastructure or propulsion test stands.
• Industrial hardware integration over EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485.
• Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and IEC 61131-3.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing.
• Ensure >99% uptime and reliable performance of test infrastructure.
• Be the Responsible Engineer for test infrastructure including centrifuges, TVACs, prop test stands and gas benches.
• Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end from electrical design through commissioning.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing to meet aggressive timelines.
• Read and modify internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling as needed.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices and thorough documentation.

Skills

Industrial automation

Mechanical design

Solidworks

NX CAD

Electrical wiring

Gas & fluid systems

Environmental testing

Propulsion test stands

Industrial protocols

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Startup environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Related technical field

Tools

Solidworks

NX CAD

Altium

Beckhoff TwinCAT

EtherCAT

Modbus

RS-232/485

Job description

Varda Space Industries, Inc. in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Senior Mechanical Test Engineer, Automation to build bespoke ground test systems for spaceflight hardware qualification and manufacturing.

You will own complex test platforms and have hands-on responsibility from concept through fabrication and commissioning. You will integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid subsystems, work with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and EtherCAT tooling, and partner with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams to meet