Software Automation and Controls Engineer - Python & PLCs

About Varda Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested.

Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About The Role

As a Software Automation and Controls Engineer at Varda, you will be at the center of one of the most technically demanding challenges in the industry: building the bespoke test infrastructure that qualifies spaceflight hardware for orbit. This is not a role for someone who wants to work inside a well-worn playbook. You will design, build, and own sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test systems — from propulsion test stands to environmental qualification chambers to full spacecraft-level integration testing.

You will work at the intersection of software, electrical, and mechanical domains, collaborating with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver infrastructure that meets demanding timelines. Our stack is intentionally modern and software-engineering-focused, including a custom PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling built in-house. We want engineers who are energized by the opportunity to shape how test automation is done across an entire organization.

This is a high-ownership role on a small, growing team. You will have a meaningful voice in architecture decisions and the chance to define standards that will outlast any single program. If you thrive when the scope is broad, the stakes are real, and the problems are genuinely novel, this is your role.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations. Integrate with a wide range of external hardware, including thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, and precision instrumentation. Develop and extend Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to support evolving program needs.

Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control implementation, including evaluation of PLC-based (TwinCAT 3) versus Linux-based approaches for high-frequency control applications. Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end — from electrical design through commissioning. Partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver test infrastructure that meets their needs on aggressive timelines.

Champion sustainable engineering practices that enable new engineers to ramp quickly on the tech stack and maintain production systems reliably.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.