Senior Space Avionics Integration Engineer, HITL Verified today
About Varda
Varda is accelerating commercial space infrastructure. The company operates the W-Series vehicles in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, reentry capsules, C-PICA heat shields, and satellite buses. Based in El Segundo, California, Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, Alabama.
What you will do
The Avionics Systems team oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for the Winnebago vehicle. You will ensure all systems are ready for launch and operational phases, working closely with cross-functional engineering teams to navigate conflicting requirements and achieve seamless integration.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project scopes and requirements, guiding designs from concept through prototype to full-scale production.
- Develop electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions aligned with vehicle objectives.
- Analyze architecture for faults and risks; develop comprehensive mitigation plans and Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) strategies.
- Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware, ensuring readiness for launch and compliance with space and reentry operations.
- Participate in mission operations as an avionics specialist, determining system health and reentry commit criteria.
- Oversee integration of Winnebago avionics systems and act as primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations.
- Design, build, and operate Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds to simulate the spacecraft on the ground.
- Develop avionics ground infrastructure, including test racks and R&D equipment. Contribute to engineering best practices and test automation.
- Mentor and train new engineers, fostering continuous improvement within the team.
What you will bring
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
- At least 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 qualifications
- 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.
Compensation and location
Salary range: $169,000 to $216,000 annually. Base salary is determined by job-related skills, education, experience, and performance. Compensation includes stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan. This role is on-site in El Segundo, California.
Benefits
Health & Wellness: Flexible PTO policy plus 12 paid holidays. 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for employees and dependents, with FSA and employer-matched HSA options. Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance. $120/month wellness reimbursement. 12 weeks parental leave with supplemental disability leave for California mothers. Family building, pregnancy, parenting, and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic. Sponsored One Medical memberships.
Financial & Retirement: 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.
Workplace Experience & Perks: Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner twice weekly. Company and team-bonding events. Complimentary EV charging.
ITAR and employment authorization
Varda only hires U.S. persons permitted to access export-controlled technology without an export license. All employees must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States.