Varda Space Industries
Spaceflight
SpacecraftReal‑TimeControlsandTestSystemsEngineer
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid+ candidates.
“Spacecraft Real‑Time Controls and Test Systems Engineer at Varda Space Industries. Skills: Real-time controls, Test systems, PLC framework, EtherCAT tooling. Design test systems for flight hardware. Build test systems for flight hardware”
Industry & Context.
Debugging hardware
Must be U.S. person
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering or equivalent technical experience, 5+ years of industry experience in test automation, controls, or industrial automation, Python skills for hardware control or test automation, Hands-on experience integrating with industrial hardware over protocols like EtherCAT, Modbus, serial, Experience with at least one modern PLC ecosystem, ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text or willingness to develop deep expertise, Comfort working across the stack: writing control software, designing electrical panels, wiring cabinets, debugging hardware
Nice to Have
EtherCAT experience beyond consumer-level usage, Production experience with TwinCAT 3, structured text, IEC 61131-3, Experience designing deterministic, hard real-time control loops, Understanding of real-time PLC code vs. higher-level orchestration in Python, Bare-metal or embedded firmware experience, Experience with time-series data acquisition and visualization, Environmental test experience: TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration, Hands-on experience with high-pressure gas or fluid systems, Experience developing propulsion test stands or complex test infrastructure, Experience developing safety-related control systems
What You'll Do.
Design test systems for flight hardware
Build test systems for flight hardware
Maintain test systems for flight hardware
Integrate with external hardware
Develop internal PLC framework
Extend internal PLC framework
Develop EtherCAT tooling
Extend EtherCAT tooling
Contribute to architecture decisions
Evaluate PLC-based vs. Linux-based approaches
Own systems end-to-end
Partner with propulsion teams
Partner with avionics teams
Partner with GNC teams
Partner with manufacturing teams
Demonstrate sustainable engineering practices
Onboard new engineers to tech stack
Maintain production systems
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Propulsion teams; Avionics teams; GNC teams; Manufacturing teams
Full Job Description
About Varda Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind. Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem. What you will do (Job Responsibilities) The Automation and Controls Software team is responsible for custom test infrastructure and bespoke engineering solutions for spaceflight hardware. We build sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test systems supporting spacecraft development and manufacturing operations, working at the intersection of software, electrical, and mechanical domains. This is a hands-on engineering role on a small, growing team. You'll have significant ownership over architecture decisions and the opportunity to shape how test automation is done across the organization, from propulsion test stands to environmental qualification to spacecraft-level integration testing.
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