Mechanical Design & Test Engineer II, Automation

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

5d•$119,543 - $152,749•Onsite

About The Position

Varda is hiring a Mechanical Design & Test Engineer II, Automation, to design, build, and own bespoke test infrastructure that qualifies spaceflight hardware for orbit. The role develops sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test systems, including propulsion test stands, environmental qualification chambers, and spacecraft-level integration testing. Varda uses a modern in-house technology stack that includes a custom PLC framework and Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling. The priority is enabling high-cadence, production-supporting equipment by integrating mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation systems into cohesive platforms. The engineer takes solutions from concept through fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and ongoing support, managing both rapid R&D setups and long-term infrastructure improvements. The position is on-site in El Segundo, California. The listed salary range for Engineer II is $119,543–$152,749 per year. The role is eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards. Due to access to export-controlled items, Varda's policy is to hire only U.S. persons who may access its technology without an export license. Varda participates in E-Verify and is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an inclusive environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
At least 3 years of industry experience in mechanical design or industrial automation.
Extensive experience with SolidWorks, NX CAD, or comparable software.
Experience with electrical wiring for cabinets, PLCs, harnesses, and connectors.
Experience with Altium or comparable electronic schematic design software; the company is 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 industrial hardware using protocols such as EtherCAT, Modbus (TCP/RTU), RS-232/485 serial, or similar 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 in it.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift and end-to-end ownership is expected.

Nice To Haves

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 to reduce safety-related risks.
Programming experience, either low-level firmware or high-level Python.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight-hardware qualification and manufacturing operations, including data acquisition systems, propulsion test stands, fill carts, thermal-control systems, PLC cabinets, and gas and liquid systems.
Maintain test infrastructure to achieve more than 99% uptime and predictable performance.
Serve as the Responsible Engineer for infrastructure such as centrifuges, TVACs, propulsion test stands and 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, GNC, 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 that help new engineers ramp up and enable reliable maintenance of production systems.
Thoroughly document systems with clear, accessible procedures and schematics.