Varda Space Industries
Mechanical Test Engineer II, Automation
About this role
Varda seeks a Mechanical Test Engineer II to design and build ground support equipment and test systems that qualify spaceflight hardware for orbit. You'll own sophisticated test infrastructure from conception through commissioning, integrating mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation systems while enabling high-cadence production operations.
What you'll do
- Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification, including data acquisition systems, thermal control systems, PLC cabinets, and gas/liquid systems
- Ensure test infrastructure achieves >99% uptime and predictable performance across centrifuges, TVACs, propulsion test stands, and related equipment
- Serve as Responsible Engineer for test infrastructure end-to-end, from electrical design through commissioning and ongoing support
- Build cabinets, wire panels, and integrate mechanical, electrical, fluid, and instrumentation subsystems into cohesive platforms
- Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver infrastructure meeting their needs on aggressive timelines
- Champion documentation and sustainable engineering practices to enable team ramp-up and reliable maintenance of production systems
What they're looking for
- Solidworks, NX, or comparable CAD software
- Electrical wiring, cabinet design, PLCs, harnesses, and connectors
- Altium or comparable electronic schematic design
- High-pressure gas and fluid systems
- Environmental testing (TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration)
- Propulsion test stand development and multi-subsystem test infrastructure
- Python or low-level firmware programming (preferred)
- Aerospace testing and spacecraft qualification standards (preferred)
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Varda Space Industries
Varda Space Industries builds commercial spacecraft and orbital manufacturing systems for missions in low Earth orbit, including reentry capsules and satellite buses. The company is hiring mission operations engineers, software engineers (ground segment, flight, and embedded), and manufacturing engineers to develop mission-critical systems, operational infrastructure, and scalable production capabilities.
- Website
- varda.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe a complex, multi-subsystem test infrastructure you've designed and built from concept through commissioning—what were the biggest challenges?
- How do you approach achieving and maintaining >99% uptime in test systems, and what monitoring or preventive strategies have you implemented?