Varda Space Industries
Real-Time Software Automation and Controls Engineer - Beckhoff
About this role
Varda seeks a Real-Time Software Automation and Controls Engineer to design and build sophisticated ground support equipment and test systems for spaceflight hardware qualification. You'll work across software, electrical, and mechanical domains using a modern, in-house tech stack centered on PLC frameworks and EtherCAT, owning systems end-to-end from architecture through commissioning.
What you'll do
- Design and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing
- Integrate external hardware including thermal chambers, data acquisition systems, and precision instrumentation
- Develop and extend Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling
- Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control approaches (PLC vs. Linux-based systems)
- Build electrical cabinets and panels, owning systems from design through commissioning
- Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver test infrastructure
What they're looking for
- Python (hardware control and test automation)
- Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and IEC 61131-3 structured text
- EtherCAT protocol and integration
- Industrial communication protocols (Modbus TCP/RTU, RS-232/485)
- Electrical panel design and cabinet wiring
- Real-time control systems
- Hardware integration and commissioning
- Full-stack systems ownership (software to hardware)
Benefits
- High-ownership role on a small, growing team with meaningful voice in architecture
- Opportunity to define standards and shape test automation practices organization-wide
- Work on cutting-edge spaceflight hardware qualification problems
- Backed by top-tier investors (Khosla Ventures, Founders Fund, Lux Capital)
- Access to in-house production facility and modern equipment
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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
- Tell us about your experience integrating industrial hardware using EtherCAT or similar protocols—what was the most complex integration you've owned?
- Have you worked with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 or another PLC ecosystem? How would you approach learning our custom framework?