Senior Terrestrial Automation & Controls Engineer
Vardaspace · El Segundo, California, United States
About this role
## Senior Terrestrial Automation & Controls Engineer **About Varda** Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable reentry capsules. We build, design, and operate W-Series vehicles in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, capsules, heat shields, and satellite buses. **About This Role** Design, build, and own sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test systems that qualify spaceflight hardware for orbit. Work with propulsion test stands, environmental qualification chambers, spacecraft-level integration testing, and more. Our stack includes a custom PLC framework and Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling built in-house. **Key Responsibilities** • Design and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification • Integrate external hardware (thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, instrumentation) • Develop and extend Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling • Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control implementation • Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end • Partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams • Champion sustainable engineering practices **Basic Qualifications** • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field • 5+ years in test automation, controls, or industrial automation • Hands-on integration with industrial hardware (EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485) • Experience with modern PLC ecosystems (ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3) • Full-stack capability: electrical design, wiring, debugging, control software • Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced startup environment **Preferred Experience** • Advanced EtherCAT expertise and TwinCAT 3 production experience • Deterministic, hard real-time control loops (sub-millisecond cycle times) • Aerospace/spacecraft testing or GSE development • Environmental test experience (TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration) • High-pressure gas/fluid systems and propulsion test stands • Safety-related control systems **Compensation & Location** 💰 $140,333 - $179,314/year (Senior level) 📍 On-site in El Segundo, CA 📈 Stock options and long-term cash awards eligible **ITAR Requirements** Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual). E-Verify program participant.
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