Controls Engineer

Varmoda is hiring a Test & Validation Engineer to support the testing and development of autonomous heavy equipment and advanced machinery in real-world operating environments. This role combines hands-on machine testing, autonomous systems validation, troubleshooting, data analysis, and technical documentation to help improve system functionality, performance, and reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and update test and development plans for autonomous machinery and equipment.
• Execute hands-on testing of autonomous machines in real-world operating environments.
• Perform on-machine testing to validate system functionality, performance, and reliability.
• Analyze test data to identify issues, derive insights, and support system improvements.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and software issues within complex autonomous systems.
• Thoroughly document technical issues identified during testing and communicate findings to engineering teams.
• Prepare test reports and provide recommendations based on testing results.
• Support test and validation planning for autonomous systems, machinery, hardware, and software.
• Develop an understanding of autonomous system hardware, software, and real-world usage.
• Collaborate with software developers to align technical requirements and resolve issues identified during testing.
• Work closely with onsite operators and technical teams through virtual and in-person collaboration.
• Gather operational feedback to help support continued product and system improvement.
• Frequently ascend and descend large machinery while carrying necessary testing equipment or a backpack.

Required Qualifications

• 2–4 years of relevant experience in testing, validation, development, control systems, vehicles, engines, autonomous technologies, or a comparable technical environment.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited Engineering or Computer Science curriculum.
• In lieu of a degree, relevant experience testing or developing control systems, vehicles, engines, autonomous technologies, or similar systems may be considered.
• Internship experience may count toward the required experience.
• Experience in vehicle testing or validation, particularly involving equipment or machinery.
• Proficiency with the Windows operating system.
• Ability to troubleshoot issues within complex systems.
• Strong problem-solving and technical communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively within a team environment.
• Strong teamwork and time-management skills.
• Ability and willingness to frequently ascend and descend machinery while carrying necessary equipment or a backpack.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Ubuntu or Linux operating systems.
• Experience with test planning and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with electrical schematics.
• Knowledge or experience with autonomous systems, including perception, planning, or positioning.
• Hands-on experience testing or validating large machinery in real-world environments.
• Understanding of autonomous-system hardware and software.
• Experience collaborating with software development and engineering teams.

About Varmoda

Varmoda is a federal IT solutions provider founded in 2020 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, delivering citizen-centric public services across Financial Assistance, Public Benefits, and Security & Defense domains. Our five-layer architecture — Salesforce (Engagement), Databricks (Data), ServiceNow (Orchestration), Pega (Decisioning), and Oracle HR (Capacity) — puts data at the common thread of every solution we build for federal agencies and the citizens they serve. Varmoda holds CMMI Maturity Level 3, ISO 9001, ISO 20000, and ISO 27001 certifications, and is recognized as a V3 veteran-friendly employer.

Why Varmoda

• Growth opportunity within a fast-scaling federal IT firm
• Direct impact on citizen-facing federal programs
• Competitive benefits including 401k, health insurance, Paid Time Off, Life Insurance and others — customize per role/location (https://www.varmoda.com/benefits.html)
• Veteran-friendly (V3) workplace culture