Senior Flight Software Engineer

Varda Space Industries
El Segundo, CA

About Varda


Low Earth orbit is open for business . Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role


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.

Responsibilities


  • Develop reliable flight software to determine how the spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operate through the entire mission

  • Own all aspects of software development, from design, testing, and integration

Requirements


  • Teamwork, communication, and problem solving in a collaborative environment

  • 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 related field or equivalent practical experience.

  • At least 5 years of software development experience.

  • Experience with development in C++ along with a strong understanding of language concepts.

Preferred Skills and Experience


  • Experience developing and testing real-time embedded systems.

  • Experience with additional general-purpose programming languages, such as Python or Rust.

  • Experience with safety-critical software, especially for aerospace applications.

  • Strong understanding of computer architecture, operating system concepts, and computer networking.

  • Solid working knowledge of math and physics.

  • Ability to work independently and communicate effectively.

Pay Range



  • Salary range: $160,000 - $200,000/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 long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

  • Offer compensation also includes the ability to receive stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan.


ITAR Requirements





  • 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. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than “U.S. Persons” as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire “U.S. 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) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum in the U.S.)

    Learn more about the ITAR here .

Benefits




  • Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side

  • Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)

  • 401(k) matching (interns excluded)

  • Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)

  • Health insurance, including Vision and Dental

  • Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.

  • Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

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.

E-Verify Statement


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.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

Posted 2026-02-25

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