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Salary: USD 140,333 - 179,314 / annual
Varda Space Industries is building commercial space infrastructure, including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing systems, reentry capsules, and satellite buses. The company designs and operates its W-Series vehicles end-to-end, from payloads to heat shields to bus systems.
As Senior Systems Engineer, Avionics, you will oversee the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for Varda's Winnebago spacecraft. You ensure all systems are mission-ready for both launch and operational phases, requiring deep expertise in avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. You will collaborate across engineering teams to navigate conflicting requirements and achieve seamless system integration, with your work directly impacting the vehicle's ability to meet mission objectives from space manufacturing through hypersonic reentry.
Key responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to define project scopes and requirements, guiding designs from concept through prototype to full-scale production
- Developing electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets accounting for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass to align vehicle solutions with company objectives
- Analyzing architecture for faults and risks, developing mitigation plans, and collaborating on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) strategies
- Conducting comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and Hardware-In-The-Loop (HITL) hardware to ensure launch readiness and mission compliance
- Participating in mission operations as an avionics specialist, determining system health and suggesting corrective actions for reentry commit criteria
- Overseeing integration of Winnebago avionics systems and serving as primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations
- Designing, building, and operating HITL testbeds that simulate the spacecraft on the ground
- Developing avionics ground infrastructure, supporting design and integration of test racks and R&D equipment
- Mentoring and training new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, CA with additional offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. The company was founded in 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov and is backed by leading investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and General Catalyst. The team includes veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies, and Silicon Valley.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
- 5+ years of experience in system design, test planning, and validation
- Proficiency in Python programming and debugging
- Experience with power supplies, modular DAQ systems, RTD and 4-20mA devices, and general test equipment
PREFERRED:
- 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 background: Avionics Hardware, FPGA Engineering, Electronics Test Engineering, or Electrical Systems Engineering
Note: This role requires U.S. person status (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) due to ITAR export-control requirements.
