Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Avionics
About The Position
The Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Avionics oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for Varda’s Winnebago Spaceship. The role ensures that systems are ready for launch and operational phases, drawing on knowledge of avionics design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. The engineer collaborates with other engineering teams and resolves competing requirements to achieve integrated systems that support mission objectives, including space manufacturing and hypersonic testing during reentry. The position spans electrical architecture and requirements development, risk analysis and mitigation, verification, mission operations, integrated system investigations, and the design and operation of Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds. It also supports avionics ground infrastructure and test equipment, promotes test automation and engineering best practices, and mentors and trains other engineers. This is an on-site position in El Segundo, California.
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.
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 architecture, system diagrams, and budgets covering power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions to communicate vehicle solutions against company-level 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 unfeasible.
- Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware to ensure launch readiness and compliance with mission objectives for space and reentry operations.
- Participate in mission operations as an avionics specialist or system operator, determine system health, and suggest corrective actions related to reentry commit criteria and operational success.
- Oversee integration of Winnebago avionics systems and act 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, fostering learning and continuous improvement.
Benefits
- Eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
