Senior Space Avionics Systems Engineer Verified today

About Varda

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

About This Role

The Senior Avionics Systems Engineer oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for the 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 with various engineering teams and navigate conflicting requirements to achieve seamless system integration.

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 for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions.
• Analyze architecture for potential faults and risks, develop comprehensive mitigation plans, and collaborate on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) or operational workarounds.
• 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.
• Oversee integration of Winnebago avionics systems, acting as 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 design and integration of test racks and R&D equipment used to power and communicate with flight vehicles.
• Mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

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 command line utilities.
• Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
• Strong project or program management skills.
• Prior roles: Avionics Hardware, FPGA Engineer, Electronics Test Engineer, Electrical Systems Engineer.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $140,333 to $179,314 per year. Leveling and base salary determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance. Eligible for stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

Full-time benefits include flexible PTO 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/pet insurance, $120/month wellness reimbursement, 12 weeks parental leave, family building benefits via Maven Clinic, and sponsored One Medical memberships.

Workplace

This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.