Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Avionics

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Avionics oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for Varda’s Winnebago spacecraft. The role ensures systems are ready for launch and operational phases and requires knowledge of avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. The engineer collaborates with multiple engineering teams and resolves competing requirements to achieve integrated vehicle solutions that meet mission objectives, including space manufacturing and hypersonic testing during reentry. The position is based on-site in El Segundo, California. The stated annual salary range is $140,333–$202,703. The role is eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards. Employees must be U.S. persons eligible to access export-controlled technology.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
At least 5 years of experience in system design, test planning, and validation.
Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python.
Experience with power supplies, modular DAQ systems, RTD and 4–20 mA devices, and general test equipment.
Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) eligible to access the company’s export-controlled technology.

Nice To Haves

Proven 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 prior roles include Avionics Hardware, FPGA Engineer, Electronics Test Engineer, or Electrical Systems Engineer.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project scopes and initial requirements, guiding designs from concept through prototype and full-scale production.
Develop electrical architectures, system diagrams, and budgets for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions to communicate vehicle solutions against company objectives.
Analyze architectures for faults and risks, develop mitigation plans, resolve uncertainties, and collaborate on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) or operational workarounds when hardware solutions are infeasible.
Create and conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and Hardware In The Loop (HITL) hardware, ensuring launch readiness and compliance with mission objectives for space and reentry operations.
Participate in mission operations as an avionics specialist or system operator, determining system health and suggesting corrective actions to reentry commit criteria.
Oversee integration of the Winnebago avionics systems and serve as the primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations.
Design, build, and operate HITL testbeds that simulate the spacecraft on the ground and verify mission readiness.
Develop avionics ground infrastructure and support the design and integration of test racks and R&D equipment used to power and communicate with flight vehicles.
Contribute to engineering best practices, with a focus on increasing test automation and efficiency.
Mentor and train new engineers, supporting a culture of learning and continuous improvement.