Senior Mechanical Design & Test Engineer, Automation

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Varda is hiring a Senior Mechanical Design & Test Engineer, Automation to build and own bespoke test infrastructure that qualifies spaceflight hardware for orbit. The role designs, builds, and supports ground support equipment (GSE) and sophisticated test systems, including propulsion test stands, environmental qualification chambers, and spacecraft-level integration testing. The position integrates mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation systems into cohesive test platforms and delivers solutions from concept through fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and ongoing support. It covers both rapid R&D setups and long-term infrastructure improvements, with a priority on enabling high-cadence production equipment. Varda uses a custom PLC framework and in-house Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling. The role is on-site in El Segundo, California. The advertised salary range for the Senior level is $140,333–$179,314 per year. The position 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 stated policy is to hire U.S. persons permitted to access its technology without an export license. Varda participates in E-Verify and is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
At least 5 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, connectors, or similar systems.
Experience with Altium or comparable electronic schematic design software; the team 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 over 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 of problems 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 solutions to reduce safety-related risks.
Programming experience, either low-level firmware or high-level Python.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment 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.
Ensure test infrastructure achieves more than 99% uptime and predictable performance.
Serve as the Responsible Engineer for infrastructure such as centrifuges, thermal vacuum (TVAC) chambers, propulsion test stands and fill carts, propulsion gas benches, 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 program needs.
Promote sustainable engineering practices that help new engineers ramp up and support reliable production-system maintenance.
Thoroughly document systems with clear, accessible procedures and schematics.