Flight Software Engineer II

Varda Space Industries

$144K — $184K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering, or equivalent technical experience in safety critical software.
  • 3+ years of experience developing spacecraft or similar safety critical software.
  • Proficient in C++ with a solid grasp of its concepts.

Responsibilities

  • Develop reliable flight software for spacecraft operations throughout missions.
  • Write structured bare metal, RTOS, or Linux-based software for embedded processors in C++.
  • Oversee all aspects of software development, including design, testing, and integration.
  • Scope projects through requirements capture and design trades for complex problems.
  • Ensure system quality and performance through software verification and validation techniques.
  • Collaborate effectively within a team to solve problems and communicate progress.

Benefits

  • Flexible PTO policy plus 12 paid holidays.
  • 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for employees and dependents, with FSA and HSA options.
  • Voluntary insurance options for accidents, critical illness, and pets.
  • Monthly wellness reimbursement for fitness expenses.
  • 12 weeks of parental leave with supplemental options for California mothers.
  • Family building and parenting benefits via Maven Clinic.
  • Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and dependents.
  • Equity participation in a fully funded space start-up.
  • 401(k) plan with an immediate 6% employer match.
  • Cell phone reimbursement and relocation support available.
  • Fully stocked kitchen with daily meals and team bonding events.
Full Job Description
About This Role

The Flight Software Engineer II 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.
  • 3+ 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: Software Engineer II: $144,020 - $184,026/ per year.
  • This role is on-sitein 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

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

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


Benefits for Internship Positions:

Health & Wellness
  • Paid observed holidays.
  • 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
  • $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.
  • Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.


Financial
  • $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.
  • Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
  • Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.


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

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