Senior Avionics Test Engineer

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Vardas W-Series vehicles are built designed and operated by Varda in-house including the pharmaceutical processing payloads the capsules the C-PICA heat shields and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX Blue Origin major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures Lux Capital Founders Fund Caffeinated Capital General Catalyst and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo California where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles equipment and materials are built integrated and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington DC and Huntsville AL.

Join Varda and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

As an Avionics Test Engineer youll play a key role in the design and operation of critical systems that simulate and stress-test flight hardware to prove it is ready for its trip to space. Your work will be instrumental in ensuring the success of our Winnebago-class spacecraft and future ambitious projects. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring the vehicle meets its mission objectives from space manufacturing to hypersonic testing during reentry. This is your opportunity to contribute to technologies that are defining the future of space exploration and make an impact that reaches far beyond the stars.

Responsibilities

• Design build and operate test systems for spacecraft avionics components and assemblies to fully exercise components during environmental stress testing and component acceptance testing.
• Develop software in Python to implement and execute test procedures analyze test data assess pass/fail criteria and generate test reports.
• Collaborate with component Responsible Engineers (REs) to identify test cases and develop innovative testing strategies to ensure avionics products meet their intended performance standards across extreme conditions.
• Craft comprehensive test plans for flight hardware manage and conduct qualification acceptance and proto-flight tests.
• Work closely with avionics test systems engineers and manufacturing engineers to standardize test software behavior user interfaces and data reporting.
• Contribute to developing engineering best practices focusing on increased test automation and efficiency.
• Collaborate with avionics systems and flight software engineers to develop and operate Hardware in the Loop (HITL) testbeds to simulate the spacecraft on the ground and ensure all systems are mission-ready.
• Draw from your experiences to help mentor and train new engineers fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the team.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Computer Science or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in system validation component testing or test software development withat least 3 years working on aerospace test systems.
• Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python.
• Experience with electronics test equipment including power supplies DAQ systems electronic loads oscilloscopes and multimeters.
• Familiarity with common sensor types including thermocouples RTDs and 4-20mA devices.
• Proficiency with Git source control system.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Prior experience standing up HITL testbeds managing configuration control and driving and operating system-level tests.
• Familiarity with Unix environments.
• Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
• Experience operating environmental test equipment (vibration shakers TVAC chambers or thermal chambers).
• Strong project or program management skills.
• Thrive in a dynamic work environment that values teamwork innovation and tackling challenges head-on. Be prepared for exposure to diverse tasks and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Pay Range

• Salary range:
  
  • Engineer II: $119543 - $152749/per year
• This role ison-site in El Segundo CA
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills education level experience level and job performance
• You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Benefits

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda we invest in benefits and perks that support your health financial well-being and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

Health & Wellness

• 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
• Voluntaryaccident hospital critical illnessandpet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• Family building pregnancyparentingand menopausebenefitsvia Maven Clinic
• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediatelyvested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging
  

Intern Positions:

Health & Wellness

• Paidobservedholidays
• 100% company-paid Medical Dental and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4000gross up in relocation support ifeligible
• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement if eligible

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

Varda like all employers must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items our policy is to only hire U.S. persons who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

US person means: U.S. citizen U.S. lawful permanent resident or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e. individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit qualifications and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race color gender national origin ethnicity veteran status disability status age sexual orientation gender identity martial status mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Required Experience:

Senior IC