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Senior Space Firmware Software Engineer, C++ Verified today

Varda Space · El Segundo, CA · Software · first seen 2026-07-30

What you will do

The Senior Firmware Software 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 techniques.

What you will bring

  • 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 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.

Compensation

  • Salary range: $169,000 - $216,000 annually.
  • Stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan.
  • On-site position in El Segundo, CA.

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 and work authorization

Varda must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Employees are exposed to and have access to export-controlled items. Our policy is to only hire US 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) (individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

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