Senior Space Flight Software Engineer, C++

Varda Space Industries

$169K — $216K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 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.
  • 5+ years of experience in spacecraft or similar safety-critical software development.
  • Proficient in C++ with a strong understanding of its concepts.

Responsibilities

  • Develop reliable flight software to govern spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operations.
  • Write structured embedded software in C++ for bare-metal, RTOS, or Linux environments.
  • Own design, testing, and integration phases of software development.
  • Scope projects and capture requirements while addressing open-ended challenges.
  • Ensure software system quality and performance through rigorous testing and validation.
  • Collaborate with team members through effective communication and problem-solving.

Benefits

  • Flexible PTO policy plus 12 paid holidays.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans paid 100% by the company for employees and dependents.
  • Voluntary supplemental insurance options and wellness reimbursements.
  • 12 weeks of parental leave and various family support benefits.
  • Equity incentives in a fully funded start-up and a robust 401(k) with employer match.
  • Daily lunch provided and substantial team-building events.
Full Job Description
What you will do (Job Responsibilities)

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 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.
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 with development in C++, along with a strong understanding of the language concepts.
What would be a plus (Preferred Qualifications)
  • 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.
How Varda compensates
  • Salary range: $169,000 - $216,000 annually.
  • 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.
  • 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


Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Varda Space Industries

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Senior Space Flight Software Engineer, C++ jobs: