Senior Space Avionics Systems Engineer Verified today
About Varda
Varda is accelerating commercial space infrastructure. The W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated entirely in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, reentry capsules, C-PICA heat shields, and satellite buses. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, with offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
What you will do
The Avionics Systems team oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for our Winnebago vehicle. You will ensure all systems are ready for launch and operational phases, requiring deep understanding of avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. You will navigate and resolve conflicting requirements across engineering teams to achieve seamless system integration.
- Collaborate with cross functional teams to define project scopes and initial requirements, guiding designs from concept to prototype and full-scale production.
- Develop electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets accounting for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions to communicate vehicle solutions to company objectives.
- Analyze architecture for potential faults and risks, develop comprehensive mitigation plans, and collaborate on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) or operational workarounds.
- Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware, ensuring readiness for launch and compliance with mission objectives for space and reentry operations.
- Participate in mission operations as an Avionics specialist or system operator, determining system health and reentry commit criteria.
- Oversee the integration of Winnebago avionics systems, acting as primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations.
- Design, build, and operate Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds, simulating the spacecraft on the ground to ensure mission readiness.
- Develop avionics ground infrastructure, supporting the design and integration of test racks and R&D equipment used to power and communicate with flight vehicles. Contribute to engineering best practices focusing on test automation and efficiency.
- Mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
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 programming and debugging with Python.
- 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 benefits
- Salary range: $169,000 to $216,000 annually.
- Stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan.
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
- Flexible PTO policy plus 12 paid holidays.
- 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested).
- 12 weeks of parental leave with supplemental disability leave for California mothers.
- $120 per month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness.
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and dependents.
- Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly.
- Complimentary EV charging.
- Relocation support for new hires, if needed.
- $20 per pay period cell phone reimbursement.
ITAR and employment requirements
This role requires access to export-controlled items. Varda hires only U.S. persons permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.