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← Varda Space Industries

Terrestrial Automation and Controls Engineer II

Varda Space Industries
Location
El Segundo, California, United States
Posted
17 days ago
Department
Terrestrial Hardware
Salary
$119,543 - $152,749
What they actually want (must-haves)
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
  • 2+ years of industry experience in test automation, controls, and/or industrial automation
  • 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)
  • Comfort working across the full stack: writing control software, designing electrical panels, wiring cabinets, and debugging hardware
  • Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift, and end-to-end ownership of problems is expected
Nice to have
  • Strong intuition for when to use real-time PLC code versus higher-level Python orchestration
  • Experience working with custom or in-house control frameworks
  • Advanced EtherCAT expertise - including DC sync, ENI configuration, master implementation, or driver-level work
  • Production experience with TwinCAT 3, structured text, and the broader IEC 61131-3 language suite
  • Experience designing deterministic, hard real-time control loops with sub-millisecond cycle times
What the job really is

The Automation and Controls Engineer II at Varda is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining test systems and ground support equipment for spaceflight hardware qualification. This role involves integrating various external hardware, developing internal PLC frameworks, and collaborating with multiple teams to ensure test infrastructure meets operational needs. The engineer will also contribute to architectural decisions and promote sustainable engineering practices within the team.

Benefits
  • Flexible PTO policy + 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/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
  • 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
  • Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
Things to weigh
  • No remote work option mentioned; role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
  • Salary range provided, but specific leveling and base salary depend on various factors
  • Fast-paced startup environment may lead to shifting priorities
  • Experience with high-pressure systems and environmental testing may be crucial for some projects
Job score4.4/5
Benefits5/5
Freshness4/5
Career value4/5
Role clarity4/5
Pay transparency5/5

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