About this RoleAs a Senior Automation and Controls Software Engineer at Varda, you'll develop our custom test infrastructure and bespoke engineering solutions for spaceflight hardware. You'll 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. Our stack includes a custom modern software-engineering-focused PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling, so you should be the kind of engineer who's energized rather than intimidated by working inside a proprietary stack.
Responsibilities- Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing
- Integrate with a wide range of external hardware: thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, and instrumentation
- Develop and extend our internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling
- Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control implementation, including evaluation of PLC-based (TwinCAT 3) vs. Linux-based approaches for high-frequency control applications
- Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end from electrical design through commissioning
- Partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver test infrastructure that meets their needs on aggressive timelines
- Demonstrate sustainable engineering practices that help onboard new engineers to the tech stack and maintain production systems.
Basic Qualifications- BS in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of industry experience in test automation, controls, or industrial automation
- Strong Python skills, particularly for hardware control or test automation applications
- Hands-on experience integrating with industrial hardware over protocols like EtherCAT, Modbus(TCP/TRU), serial (RS232/485), or similar
- Experience with at least one modern PLC ecosystem, ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text (IEC 61131-3) or willingness to develop deep expertise there
- Comfort working across the stack: writing control software, designing electrical panels, wiring cabinets, debugging hardware
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift and you're expected to own problems end-to-end
Preferred Skills and Experience- Experience working with custom or in-house control frameworks (vs. only vendor-provided stacks)
- EtherCAT experience beyond consumer-level usage - DC sync, ENI configuration, master implementation, or driver-level work
- Production experience with TwinCAT 3, structured text, and the broader IEC 61131-3 languages
- Experience designing deterministic, hard real-time control loops (sub-millisecond cycle times)
- Understanding of when to use real-time PLC code vs. higher-level orchestration in Python - and the tradeoffs between them
- Bare-metal or embedded firmware experience
- Experience with Docker and DevOps tooling for test infrastructure deployment
- Experience with time-series data acquisition and visualization (Grafana, InfluxDB, or similar)
- Aerospace experience, particularly spacecraft testing or GSE development
- Environmental test experience: TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration
- Hands-on experience with high-pressure gas or fluid systems
- Experience developing propulsion test stands or other complex test infrastructure
- Familiarity with spacecraft qualification standards
- Experience developing safety-related control systems and evaluating proposed solutions for reducing safety-related risks.
Pay Range- Salary range: $140,000.00 - $216,00.00 annually
- This role is on-sitein El Segundo, CA
- Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
- You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
BenefitsVarda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well-being, and a high-quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full-time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):
Health & Wellness- Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
- Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
- 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
- Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Financial & Retirement - Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
- 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Workplace Experience & Perks - Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
- Dog-friendly office space
