Data Systems & Controls Engineer

Data Systems & Controls Engineer II

Summary

Vaya Space is a privately owned space and defense company headquartered on Florida’s Space Coast. We are advancing patented vortex-hybrid engine technology to deliver propulsion systems that meet the highest standards of safety, affordability, and sustainability. In the commercial market, our Dauntless launch vehicle provides reliable and cost-effective access to orbit. In defense, our hybrid propulsion systems support next-generation tactical, hypersonic, and missile defense applications.

As a Data Systems & Controls Engineer, you will lead the development, integration, and operation of control systems and data acquisition infrastructure supporting Vaya Space’s space and defense test programs. This role spans primary propulsion test stands as well as hydrostatic pressure, structural, and component-level test systems. You will be responsible for bringing together hardware and software to enable safe, repeatable, and high-fidelity test operations—from pressure, temperature, and thrust measurements to real-time control loops and automated sequencing. You will take ownership of projects from concept through commissioning, working closely with cross-functional teams to define instrumentation requirements, configure DAQ and control hardware, and develop LabVIEW-based software that puts critical data and control capabilities in the hands of our engineers and operators. Testing is central to our mission, placing you directly in the cycle of design, build, ground test, and system validation required to mature propulsion systems and flight hardware.

We are a fast-paced, mission-driven team tackling some of the hardest problems in aerospace. Success at Vaya requires personal leadership, strong technical skills, and meticulous attention to detail. Every team member contributes across disciplines, stepping up where needed to drive innovation forward.
If you want to make an impact and help shape the future of space and defense, Vaya Space is the place to do it.

Travel Required

15%

Required Security Clearance

Ability to gain and maintain a SECRET clearance if required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Design, develop, integrate, and maintain data acquisition (DAQ) and control systems for propulsion and ground test stands.

Specify, install, and commission instrumentation including thermocouples, RTDs, pressure transducers (static and dynamic), load cells, strain gauges, flow meters, accelerometers, and position sensors.

Architect and implement control system hardware and communications, including NI-based systems (cDAQ, cRIO, etc.) s, signal conditioning, power distribution, and field wiring.

 Develop and maintain LabVIEW applications for data acquisition, real-time control, sequencing, automation, user interfaces, and data logging.

Integrate sensors and actuators (valves, solenoids, pumps, heaters, regulators) into automated test sequences and control loops.

Support test stand bring-up, troubleshooting, calibration, and live test execution, including rapid issue resolution during hot-fire or flow testing.

Define instrumentation layouts, wiring schematics, panel designs, grounding and shielding strategies consistent with aerospace testing best practices.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define test requirements, instrumentation needs, control logic, and data quality expectations.

Support test readiness reviews (TRRs), safety reviews, and post-test data validation and analysis.

Generate and maintain technical documentation including instrumentation lists, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, software architecture, calibration records, and as-built documentation.

Contribute to continuous improvement of test infrastructure, automation capability, reliability, and data quality.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.

5+ years of hands-on experience designing, upgrading, or operating DAQ and control systems in a test, laboratory, or industrial automation environment (aerospace or propulsion testing strongly preferred).

Practical experience working with electrical instrumentation and sensors (temperature, pressure, load, flow, strain, acceleration).

Proficiency with NI LabVIEW for DAQ, control, automation, and test operations.

Strong understanding of electrical fundamentals: analog/digital signals, grounding and shielding, wiring and harnessing, power distribution, and signal conditioning.

Experience reading and producing electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, instrumentation lists, and P&IDs.

Ability to troubleshoot complex hardware/software/system-level issues in a live test environment.

Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering team.

Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Willingness to work flexible hours as necessary.

To comply with U.S. export regulations, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations you must (a) be a “U.S. Person” as defined under those regulations, which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., and protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (b) otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce, as appropriate.

Preferred Skills and Education

Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

Experience supporting aerospace propulsion or launch vehicle test stands (cryogenic, high-pressure, or hazardous systems).

Familiarity with real-time control systems and communication protocols such as EtherCAT, CAN bus, Modbus, serial, or Ethernet-based instrumentation.

Experience with PLC programming (IEC 61131-3 ladder logic or structured text), FPGA-based systems, or real-time operating systems.

Exposure to additional programming or scripting languages (e.g., Python, C/C++, MATLAB) for automation or data processing.

Experience with cryogenic or high-energy instrumentation (e.g., cryogenic RTDs, dynamic pressure sensors, etc).

Familiarity with applicable electrical, safety, or instrumentation standards (NEC, NFPA, ISA) in test or industrial environments.

Experience supporting test planning, TRRs, data validation, and post-test analysis.

Understanding of appropriate test methodologies for rocket engines and space launch vehicle hardware.

Working knowledge of hybrid rocket engine concepts and practice.