Mechanical Test Engineer II, Automation Verified today

About Varda

Varda accelerates commercial space infrastructure development, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated entirely in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, capsules, C-PICA heat shields, and satellite buses.

About This Role

You build bespoke test infrastructure that qualifies spaceflight hardware for orbit. You design, build, and own sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test systems: propulsion test stands, environmental qualification chambers, spacecraft-level integration testing and more. The stack is modern, including a custom PLC framework and Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling built in-house.

Your priorities:

• Enable high cadence; production-enabling equipment is priority number one
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation systems into cohesive test platforms
• Implement solutions from concept through fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and ongoing support
• Manage both rapid R&D test setups and long-term test infrastructure improvements

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations, including data acquisition systems (Pelican DAQ, Load cell DAQ, Accelerometer DAQ, propulsion test stands, fill carts), thermal control systems (chillers, heaters, LN2), PLC cabinets, and gas/liquid systems (valves, transducers, solenoids, flowmeters)
• Ensure test infrastructure achieves >99% uptime and predictable performance
• Be the Responsible Engineer for test infrastructure including centrifuges, TVACs, propulsion test stands, propulsion fill carts, propulsion gas benches, propulsion water flow stands, and torch test stands
• 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
• Read, deploy, and make minor edits to Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to support evolving program needs
• Champion sustainable engineering practices that enable new engineers to ramp quickly on the tech stack and maintain production systems reliably. All systems are thoroughly documented with clear, accessible procedures and schematics

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field
• 3+ years of industry experience in mechanical design or industrial automation
• Extensive experience using Solidworks, NX CAD, or comparable
• Experience with electrical wiring for cabinets, PLCs, harnesses, connectors, etc.
• Experience with Altium or comparable electronic schematic design software. Varda is migrating to EPLAN
• Hands-on experience working with high-pressure gas or fluid systems
• Environmental test experience, including TVAC, thermal cycling, and vibration testing
• Experience developing propulsion test stands or other complex, multi-subsystem test infrastructure
• Hands-on experience integrating with industrial hardware over protocols such as EtherCAT, Modbus (TCP/RTU), RS-232/485 serial, or similar communication standards
• Experience with at least one modern PLC ecosystem, ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text (IEC 61131-3), or demonstrated eagerness to develop deep expertise there
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift and end-to-end ownership of problems is expected

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Aerospace experience, particularly in spacecraft testing or GSE development
• Familiarity with spacecraft qualification standards and associated documentation requirements
• Experience developing safety-related control systems and evaluating proposed solutions for reducing safety-related risks
• Programming, either low-level firmware or high-level Python

Compensation and Work Location

• Salary range: $119,543 to $152,749 per year
• On-site in El Segundo, California
• Leveling and base salary determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• Eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Benefits

Regular full-time employees receive comprehensive benefits:

• Flexible PTO policy plus 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 per month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for California mothers)
• Family building, pregnancy, parenting, and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)