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Salary: USD 140,333 - 202,703 / annual
Varda Space Industries is accelerating commercial space infrastructure development, including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing and reentry capsules. The company designs, builds, and operates W-Series vehicles in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, capsules, heat shields, and satellite buses. Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, CA with additional offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
As a Senior Spacecraft Avionics Test Engineer, you will play a key role in designing and operating critical systems that simulate and stress-test flight hardware to prove readiness for space missions. Your expertise will ensure the Winnebago-class spacecraft and future projects meet mission objectives, from space manufacturing to hypersonic reentry testing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, build, and operate test systems for spacecraft avionics components and assemblies, fully exercising 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 to identify test cases and develop innovative testing strategies ensuring avionics products meet performance standards across extreme conditions
- Craft comprehensive test plans for flight hardware and manage qualification, acceptance, and proto-flight tests
- Work with avionics test systems engineers and manufacturing engineers to standardize test software behavior, user interfaces, and data reporting
- Contribute to developing engineering best practices focused 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
- Mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- At least 5 years of experience in system validation, component testing, or test software development, with at 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:
- Prior experience standing up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and driving 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, thermal chambers)
- Strong project or program management skills
Note: ITAR requirements apply. Only U.S. persons (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or individuals admitted as refugees/granted asylum) are eligible.
