Terrestrial Mechanical Test Engineer II, Automation Verified today

About Varda

Varda accelerates commercial space infrastructure, building in-house spacecraft (W-Series vehicles), pharmaceutical processing payloads, reentry capsules with C-PICA heat shields, and satellite buses. We operate in low Earth orbit to enable space-based manufacturing of life-saving pharmaceuticals and advanced materials.

About This Role

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

• Enable high-cadence production with equipment as priority number one
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation systems into cohesive test platforms
• Implement solutions from concept through fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and ongoing support
• Manage both rapid R&D test setups and long-term test infrastructure improvements

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing, including data acquisition systems (Pelican DAQ, Load cell DAQ, Accelerometer DAQ), propulsion test stands, fill carts, thermal control systems (chillers, heaters, LN2), PLC cabinets, and gas/liquid systems (valves, transducers, solenoids, flowmeters)
• Achieve greater than 99% uptime and predictable performance for test infrastructure
• Serve as Responsible Engineer for test infrastructure including centrifuges, TVACs, propulsion test stands, propulsion fill carts, propulsion gas benches, propulsion 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, guidance/navigation/control, 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 to support evolving program needs
• Champion sustainable engineering practices: thoroughly document all systems with clear, accessible procedures and schematics to enable new engineers to ramp quickly and maintain production systems reliably

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field
• 3+ years of industry experience in mechanical design or industrial automation
• Extensive experience using Solidworks, NX CAD, or comparable
• Experience with electrical wiring for cabinets, PLCs, harnesses, connectors
• Experience with Altium or comparable electronic schematic design software (we are migrating to EPLAN)
• 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 (TCP/RTU), 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 there
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift and end-to-end ownership of problems is expected

Preferred Skills and Experience

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

Compensation and Location

• Salary range: $119,543 to $152,749 per year
• On-site in El Segundo, CA
• Leveling and base salary determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• Stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Benefits

• 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
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness
• 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for California mothers)
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• Equity in a fully funded space start-up
• Daily lunch and twice-weekly dinner provided
• Complimentary EV charging
• Relocation support for new hires if needed

ITAR Requirements

Varda provides employees access to export-controlled items. We hire only US persons: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, or individuals admitted as refugees or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).