Senior Avionics Systems Engineer Verified today

About Varda

Varda is developing commercial space infrastructure for in-orbit pharmaceutical processing and reliable reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated in-house, including pharmaceutical payloads, capsules, heat shields, and satellite buses. We are accelerating the orbital economy by creating both products and infrastructure so space can directly benefit life on Earth.

About This Role

The Senior Avionics Systems Engineer oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for our Winnebago Spaceship. You will ensure all systems are ready for launch and operational phases, requiring deep understanding of avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams and navigate conflicting requirements to achieve seamless system integration. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring the vehicle meets its mission objectives, from space manufacturing to hypersonic testing during reentry.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project scopes and initial requirements, guiding designs from concept to prototype and full-scale production.
• Develop electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets to account for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions used to communicate vehicle solutions to company-level objectives.
• Analyze architecture for potential faults and risks, develop comprehensive mitigation plans, resolve uncertainties, and collaborate on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) or operational workarounds when hardware solutions are unfeasible.
• Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware, ensuring readiness for launch and compliance with mission objectives for space and reentry operations.
• Participate in mission operations as an avionics specialist or system operator, determining system health and suggesting corrective actions to reentry commit criteria for operational success.
• Oversee the integration of Winnebago avionics systems, acting as the primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations.
• Design, build, and operate Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds, simulating the spacecraft on the ground to ensure all systems are mission ready.
• Develop avionics ground infrastructure, support the design and integration of test racks and R&D equipment used to power and communicate with flight vehicles. Contribute to developing engineering best practices, focusing on increased test automation and efficiency.
• Mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the team.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in system design, test planning, and validation.
• Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python.
• Experience with power supplies, modular DAQ systems, RTD and 4-20mA devices, and general test equipment.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Proven experience taking vehicle electrical systems from concept to operational production.
• Prior experience setting up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and conducting system-level tests.
• Familiarity with Unix environments and the ability to use command line utilities.
• Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
• Strong project or program management skills.
• Relevant prior roles: Avionics Hardware, FPGA Engineer, Electronics Test Engineer, Electrical Systems Engineer.

Compensation and Location

Salary range: $140,333 to $179,314 per year. This role is onsite in El Segundo, CA. Leveling and base salary are 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.

Benefits

Health and Wellness: Flexible PTO policy plus 12 paid holidays. 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance 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 and 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 and 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.

ITAR Requirements

Employees must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. and are required to be U.S. persons permitted to have access to export-controlled technology and items.