Varda Space Industries
Software Automation and Controls Engineer - Python & PLCs
About this role
Varda seeks a Software Automation and Controls Engineer to design and build ground support equipment and test systems for spaceflight hardware qualification. You'll work across software, electrical, and mechanical domains using Python, PLCs (TwinCAT 3), and EtherCAT, with high ownership in a startup environment pushing the boundaries of in-orbit manufacturing.
What you'll do
- Design and maintain test systems and ground support equipment for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing
- Integrate with 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 using PLC-based versus Linux-based approaches
- Build and wire control cabinets, owning systems end-to-end from electrical design through commissioning
- Partner with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams to deliver test infrastructure on aggressive timelines
What they're looking for
- Python (hardware control and test automation)
- PLC programming (TwinCAT 3 and IEC 61131-3 structured text preferred)
- EtherCAT protocol and industrial communication standards (Modbus, RS-232/485)
- Hardware integration and instrumentation
- Electrical panel design and cabinet wiring
- Real-time control systems
- Full-stack development (software, electrical, mechanical)
- Test automation frameworks
Benefits
- Work on cutting-edge space infrastructure and in-orbit manufacturing
- High ownership role with influence on architectural decisions
- Opportunity to define standards and practices for an entire organization
- Collaboration with experienced team from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and major tech companies
- Access to production facility and hands-on hardware experience
- Fast-paced startup environment with meaningful technical challenges
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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
- Walk us through a specific test automation system you've built—what hardware did you integrate with and how did you handle communication protocols?
- Describe your experience with PLC programming and TwinCAT 3 specifically. If you haven't used TwinCAT, how would you approach learning a new PLC ecosystem?