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Senior Spacecraft Firmware Engineer, C++ Verified today

Varda Space · El Segundo, CA · Software · first seen 2026-07-21

About Varda

Varda is accelerating commercial space infrastructure development, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated in-house, including spacecraft buses, reentry capsules, heat shields, and pharmaceutical processing payloads.

What you will do

As Senior Embedded Software Engineer on the Flight Software team, you will determine how spacecraft behave and operate in orbit, and build the reliable software to make it happen. You will own all phases of development 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: design, testing, and integration
  • Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades for 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

What you will bring

Required:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering, or equivalent technical experience in safety critical software
  • 5+ years of experience in development of spacecraft or similar safety critical software
  • Experience developing and testing real-time embedded hardware and software systems
  • Experience with development in C++, along with a strong understanding of language concepts

Preferred:

  • 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 and location

Salary range: $169,000 to $216,000 annually. This role is onsite 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.

ITAR Requirements

Varda employees have access to export-controlled items. We hire only U.S. persons: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, or individuals admitted as refugees or granted asylum.

Senior Spacecraft Firmware Engineer at Varda Space | Flight Proven Space