Senior Flight Software Engineer

Digitailor; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 169,000 - 216,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Job summary

Varda is hiring a Senior Flight Software Engineer to determine spacecraft behavior and build reliable software for satellite buses and reentry capsules. You will craft bare-metal, RTOS, or Linux-based embedded code in C++ and own design, testing, and integration from requirements through flight operations.

The role requires 5+ years in safety-critical software for spacecraft, with CCSDS, F' or cFS, and Python/Rust experience. On-site in El Segundo, CA, with stock options incentives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering or equivalent safety-critical software experience.
• 5+ years of experience in developing spacecraft or similar safety-critical software.
• Experience with C++ and strong knowledge of language concepts.
• End-to-end spacecraft development experience preferred.
• Experience with real-time embedded systems and aerospace safety-critical software.
• Experience with CCSDS telemetry and telecommand systems.
• Experience with F' or cFS framework.
• Experience with Python or Rust.
• Knowledge of basic analog and digital electronics.
• Familiarity with SPI, I2C, CAN, EtherCAT.

Responsibilities

• Develop reliable flight software that determines how the spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operate throughout the mission.
• Write structured bare-metal, RTOS, or Linux-based embedded software in C++.
• Own all aspects of software development from design to testing and integration.
• Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades for open-ended problems.
• Ensure system quality and performance through software testing, verification, and validation (V&V).
• Collaborate with team members and problem-solve in a cooperative environment.

Skills

C++ programming

Embedded systems

RTOS

Python

Software verification

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering or equivalent safety-critical software experience

Tools

CCSDS telemetry/telecommand

F' or cFS framework

SPI

I2C

CAN

EtherCAT

Python

Rust

Job description

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 This Role The Senior Flight Software Engineer is responsible for determining how our spacecraft behaves and operates in orbit and building reliable software to ensure it happens. The team is responsible for all phases of development, starting from requirements capture through testing and flight operational support.

Responsibilities

Develop reliable flight software that determine how the spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operate throughout the entire mission. Write quality structured bare metal, RTOS, or Linux based software for embedded processors in C++. Own all aspects of software development, from design, testing, and integration. Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades given open-ended problems. Ensure system quality and performance through software test, verification, and validation (V&V) technique. Teamwork, communicate and problem solve in a collaborative environment.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering or equivalent technical experience in safety critical software. 5+ years of experience in the development of spacecraft or similar safety critical software. Experience with development in C++, along with a strong understanding of the language concepts. Preferred Skills and Experience End-to-end experience building and launching a spacecraft. Experience developing and testing real-time embedded systems. Experience with safety-critical software, especially for aerospace applications. Experience with CCSDS telemetry and telecommand system. Experience with F' or cFS framework. Experience with Python, or Rust. Knowledge of basic analog and digital electronics. Familiarity with SPI, I2C, CAN, EtherCAT.

Pay Range

Salary range: Senior Software Engineer: $169,067 - $216,031/ 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. ITAR Requirements Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. “US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum). Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.