Senior Spacecraft Avionics Systems Engineer Verified today

About Varda

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

The Role

As Senior Avionics Systems Engineer, you will oversee the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for the Winnebago spacecraft. You ensure all systems are mission-ready for launch and operational phases, requiring deep expertise in avionics design, manufacturing, and operational protocols. You collaborate across engineering teams and resolve competing requirements to achieve seamless system integration.

What You'll Do

• Define project scopes and initial requirements with cross-functional teams, 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 to communicate vehicle solutions to company objectives.
• Analyze architecture for faults and risks; develop mitigation plans and Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) strategies or operational workarounds.
• Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware, ensuring readiness for launch and mission compliance for space and reentry operations.
• Participate in mission operations as an avionics specialist, determining system health and recommending corrective actions for reentry commit criteria.
• Oversee integration of Winnebago avionics systems and act as the primary contact for integrated systems investigations.
• Design, build, and operate Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds that simulate the spacecraft on the ground.
• Develop avionics ground infrastructure, including test racks and R&D equipment for powering and communicating with flight vehicles. Contribute to engineering best practices for test automation and efficiency.
• Mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• 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 Python programming and debugging.
• Experience with power supplies, modular DAQ systems, RTD and 4-20mA devices, and general test equipment.

Preferred 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.
• Background in avionics hardware, FPGA engineering, electronics test, or electrical systems engineering.

Compensation and Location

Salary range: $140,333 - $179,314 per year (Senior level).

On-site in El Segundo, California.

Leveling and base salary determined by job-related skills, education, experience, and job performance. Eligible for stock options and long-term cash awards.

Benefits

Full-time employees receive:

• 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.
• 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.