Join Varda as an Avionics Systems Engineer II to oversee avionics systems for the Winnebago Spaceship in a pioneering space startup.
Posted by employer 1 day ago
First seen on Joblaze 1 day ago
Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago
Joblaze summary
The Space Avionics Systems Engineer II at Varda Space is responsible for the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for the company's Winnebago Spaceship, ensuring readiness for both launch and operational phases. This role requires expertise in avionics system design, electrical architecture, and programming, particularly in Python, along with experience in system validation and test planning. It is suited for engineers with a background in avionics hardware or electrical systems, ideally with several years of relevant experience. Varda's team includes veterans from leading aerospace companies, fostering a collaborative environment focused on advancing commercial space infrast
Quick facts
- Is the Space Avionics Systems Engineer II role remote?
- No — this is an on-site role in El Segundo, California, United States.
- What's the salary range?
- Varda Space lists $119,543–$152,749 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 3 years of relevant experience for this Space Avionics Systems Engineer II role.
- Where is the role based?
- Varda Space is hiring for this position in El Segundo, California, United States.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Python.
- What seniority level is this role?
- Varda Space targets mid-level candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Space Avionics Systems Engineer II role at Varda Space.
From the original posting
About Varda
About This Role
The Avionics Systems Engineer II oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for our Winnebago Spaceship. They ensure that all systems are ready for both launch and operational phases, requiring a deep understanding of avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. They closely collaborate with various engineering teams and navigate conflicting requirements to achieve seamless system integration. Their expertise will be crucial in ensuring the vehicle meets its mission objectives, from space manufacturing to hypersonic testing during reentry.
Responsibilities
- 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 to account for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions used to communicate closing vehicle solutions to company level objectives.
- Analyze architecture for potential faults and risks, develop comprehensive mitigation plans, resolve uncertainties, and collaborate on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) or operational workarounds when hardware solutions are unfeasible.
- 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, where they’ll determine system health, suggest corrective actions to reentry commit criteria for operational success.
- Oversee the integration of the Winnebago avionics systems, acting as the primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations.
- Design, build, and operate the Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds, simulating the spacecraft on the ground to ensure all systems are mission ready.
- Develop avionics ground infrastructure, support the design and integration of test racks and R&D equipment used to power and communicate with the flight vehicles. Contribute to developing engineering best practices, focusing on increased test automation and efficiency.
- Draw from their experiences to help mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the team.
Basic Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
- Experience: 3+ years of experience in system design, test planning, and validation.
- Programming Skills: Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python.
- Technical Expertise: Experience with power supplies, modular DAQ systems, RTD and 4-20mA devices, and general test equipment.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 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 the ability to use command line utilities.
- Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
- Strong project or program management skills.
- Relevant prior roles: Avionics Hardware, FPGA Engineer, Electronics Test Engineer, Electrical Systems Engineer
Pay Range
- Salary range: Engineer II: $119,543 - $152,749/ per year.
- This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.
- Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance.
- You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
Benefits
Regular Full-Time Positions:
Health & Wellness
- Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
- Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
- 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
- Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Financial & Retirement
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
Benefits for Internship Positions:
Health & Wellness
Financial
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
Standard company text repeated across Varda Space's postings is omitted here.