Senior Spacecraft Flight Software Engineer

What You Will Do (Job Responsibilities)

• Develop reliable flight software that determines 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

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.

“U.S. 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).

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.

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.