Space Avionics Systems Engineer II Verified today
About Varda
Varda is accelerating development of commercial space infrastructure for in-orbit pharmaceutical processing and reentry capsules. The company builds W-Series vehicles in-house, including spacecraft buses, heat shields, and processing payloads. We are headquartered in El Segundo, California, with offices in Washington DC and Huntsville, Alabama.
About This Role
The Avionics Systems Engineer II oversees design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for the Winnebago Spaceship. You will ensure all systems are mission-ready for launch and operational phases, requiring deep knowledge of avionics design, manufacturing, and operational protocols. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve conflicting requirements and 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 faults and risks; develop mitigation plans and Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) strategies
- Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) hardware
- Participate in mission operations as an avionics specialist, determining system health and suggesting corrective actions
- Oversee integration of Winnebago avionics systems as the primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations
- Design, build, and operate HITL testbeds simulating the spacecraft on the ground
- Develop avionics ground infrastructure and test racks; contribute to engineering best practices focusing on test automation
- 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
- 3+ 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 Skills and Experience
- 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
- Relevant background in avionics hardware, FPGA engineering, electronics testing, or electrical systems engineering
Compensation and Location
Salary range: $119,543 to $152,749 per year. Eligible for stock options and long-term cash awards. This role is on-site in El Segundo, California.
Benefits
Regular 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 per 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