Terrestrial Controls Engineer - Automation & Python

Varda Space Industries•El Segundo, CA

3h•$109,000 - $153,000•Onsite

About The Position

Our Controls & Automation team builds bespoke test infrastructure that qualifies spaceflight hardware for orbit. You will design, build, and own sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test systems: propulsion test stands, environmental qualification chambers, spacecraft-level integration testing and more! Our stack is modern, including a custom PLC framework and Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling built in-house. You will have a meaningful impact on architecture decisions, and the chance to define standards that will outlast any single program.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
2+ years of industry experience in test automation, controls, and/or industrial automation.
Hands-on experience integrating with industrial hardware over protocols such as EtherCAT, Modbus (TCP/RTU), RS-232/485 serial, or similar communication standards.
Experience with at least one modern PLC ecosystem - ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text (IEC 61131-3), or a demonstrated eagerness to develop deep expertise there.
Comfort working across the full stack: writing control software, designing electrical panels, wiring cabinets, and debugging hardware.
Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift, and end-to-end ownership of problems is expected.

Nice To Haves

Strong intuition for when to use real-time PLC code versus higher-level Python orchestration, and a clear understanding of the tradeoffs between the two.
Experience working with custom or in-house control frameworks, rather than relying solely on vendor-provided stacks.
Advanced EtherCAT expertise beyond consumer-level usage — including DC sync, ENI configuration, master implementation, or driver-level work.
Production experience with TwinCAT 3, structured text, and the broader IEC 61131-3 language suite.
Experience designing deterministic, hard real-time control loops with sub-millisecond cycle times.
Familiarity with time-series data acquisition and visualization tools such as Grafana, InfluxDB, or similar platforms.
Aerospace experience, particularly in spacecraft testing or GSE development.
Environmental test experience, including TVAC, thermal cycling, and vibration testing.
Hands-on experience working with high-pressure gas or fluid systems.
Experience developing propulsion test stands or other complex, multi-subsystem test infrastructure.
Familiarity with spacecraft qualification standards and associated documentation requirements.
Experience developing safety-related control systems and evaluating proposed solutions for reducing safety-related risks.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations.
Integrate with a wide range of external hardware, including thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, and precision instrumentation.
Develop and extend Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to support evolving program needs.
Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control implementation, including evaluation of PLC-based (TwinCAT 3) versus Linux-based approaches for high-frequency control applications.
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 that meets their needs on aggressive timelines.
Champion sustainable engineering practices that enable new engineers to ramp quickly on the tech stack and maintain production systems reliably.

Benefits

Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
Complimentary EV charging