Senior Spacecraft Firmware Engineer, C++

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) employer match

Relocation support

Stock options

Paid holidays

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, headquartered in El Segundo, California, is building in-space manufacturing and orbital infrastructure. The Senior Firmware Engineer on the Flight Software team will shape how our spacecraft behave in orbit and ensure reliable software across the full mission lifecycle.

You will own embedded software in C++ for bare metal, RTOS, or Linux environments, work across requirements, testing, and flight operations, and collaborate with a team of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a technical field.
• 5+ years of spacecraft or safety-critical software experience.
• Experience with real-time embedded hardware/software.
• Proficiency in C++ and embedded development concepts.

Responsibilities

• Develop firmware to control spacecraft components across all mission phases.
• Own software development lifecycle from design through integration and testing.
• Scope projects with requirements capture and initial design trades.
• Write robust bare-metal, RTOS, or Linux-based software for embedded processors in C++.

Skills

C++

Embedded systems

RTOS

Linux

Education

Bachelors in CS/Engineering

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.

What you will do (Job Responsibilities)

The Senior Firmware Engineer on the Flight Software team 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 test, and flight operational support. Develop reliable firmware to control how the spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operate through the entire mission. Own all aspects of software development, from design, testing, and integration. Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades given open-ended problems. Write quality structured bare metal, RTOS, or Linux based software for embedded processors in C++. Build highly reliable and available software systems. Ensure system quality and performance through software test, verification, and validation (V&V) techniques.

What you will bring (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 developing and testing real‑time embedded hardware / software systems.
• Experience with development in C++, along with a strong understanding of language concepts.

What would be a plus (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience with safety‑critical software, especially for aerospace applications.
• Experience with additional programming languages such as Python or Rust.
• Strong understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, data structures, and computer networking.

How Varda compensates

Salary range: $169,000 - $216,000 annually.

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.

Offer compensation also includes the ability to receive stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan.

#LI-VSI Benefits

Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):

Health & Wellness

• Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
• 100% company‑paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer‑matched HSA options
• Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 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

• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start‑up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team‑bonding events, happy hours and mission‑success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

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).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program.

The E-Verify program is an Internet‑based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 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.