Senior Systems Engineer, Avionics

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Systems Engineer, Avionics oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for Varda’s Winnebago Spaceship. The role ensures systems are ready for launch and operational phases, applying expertise in avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. The engineer works closely with cross-functional teams, resolving competing requirements to achieve seamless integration and help the vehicle meet its mission objectives, including space manufacturing and hypersonic testing during reentry. This on-site role is based in El Segundo, California. Varda develops commercial space infrastructure and builds, integrates, and tests its vehicles, equipment, and materials in-house. The company offers a salary range of $140,333–$202,703 per year for the Senior level, with eligibility for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards. Applicants must be U.S. persons permitted to access export-controlled technology without an export license.

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 qualify as a U.S. person permitted to access the company’s export-controlled technology without an export license.

Nice To Haves

Proven experience taking vehicle electrical systems from concept through 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, and communicate vehicle solutions in relation to 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 not feasible.
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, assess system health, and suggest corrective actions related to reentry commit criteria and operational success.
Oversee integration of the 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 improving test automation and efficiency.
Mentor and train new engineers, fostering learning and continuous improvement within the team.