Senior Mechanical Test Engineer, Automation Verified today

About Varda

Varda is accelerating commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reentry capsules. The W-Series vehicles, payloads, heat shields, and satellite buses are all built, designed, and operated in-house.

About This Role

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

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations, including data acquisition systems, thermal control systems, PLC cabinets, and gas/liquid systems.
• Ensure test infrastructure achieves greater than 99% uptime and predictable performance.
• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for test infrastructure including centrifuges, TVACs, propulsion test stands, fill carts, gas benches, 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 on aggressive timelines.
• Read, deploy, and make minor edits to Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling.
• Champion sustainable engineering practices with thorough documentation, clear procedures, and accessible schematics.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• 5 or more years of industry experience in mechanical design or industrial automation.
• Extensive experience with Solidworks, NX CAD, or comparable.
• Experience with electrical wiring for cabinets, PLCs, harnesses, and connectors.
• Experience with Altium or comparable electronic schematic design software.
• Hands-on experience 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, 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.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift and end-to-end ownership is expected.

Preferred Skills and Experience

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

Pay and Location

Salary range: $140,333 to $179,314 per year. This role is on-site in El Segundo, California. 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

Regular full-time positions include:

• 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 dependents.
• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up.
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested).