Senior Spacecraft Embedded Software Engineer

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 developing spacecraft or similar safety-critical software.
  • Experience in developing and testing real-time embedded hardware/software systems.
  • Proficient in C++ with a strong understanding of language concepts.
  • Familiarity with safety-critical software, particularly in aerospace applications is preferred.
  • Experience with other programming languages like Python or Rust is a plus.
  • Strong understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, data structures, and networking.

Responsibilities

  • Develop reliable firmware for spacecraft and reentry capsule operations throughout the mission.
  • Own all software development stages: design, testing, and integration.
  • Scope projects, capturing requirements and conducting initial design trades for complex problems.
  • Write structured software for embedded processors using C++, targeting bare-metal, RTOS, or Linux environments.
  • Build software systems that are highly reliable and available.
  • Ensure quality through rigorous software testing, verification, and validation techniques.

Benefits

  • Flexible PTO policy plus 12 paid holidays.
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
  • Wellness reimbursement up to $120/month for gym and fitness expenses.
  • 12 weeks of parental leave, with supplemental disability for CA mothers.
  • Equity incentives in a fully funded space startup.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% employer match, immediately vested.
  • Fully stocked kitchen with daily and weekly meals provided.
Full Job Description
About This Role

The Senior Embedded Software Engineer on the Flight Software team is responsible for determining how our spacecraft behaves & operates in orbit and building reliable software to ensure it happens. They are responsible for all phases of development, starting from requirements capture through testing and flight operational support.
Responsibilities
  • 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.
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.
Preferred Skills and Experience
  • 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.
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.


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

Intern 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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