Senior Space Embedded Software Engineer

Varda Space Industries
El Segundo, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at experienced aerospace software engineers who can design and validate safety-critical systems.

Best fit for

  • Experienced aerospace software engineers with a history of developing mission-critical systems
    — “5+ years of experience in the development of spacecraft or similar safety critical software.”
  • Candidates with strong embedded systems knowledge and a background in real-time software development
    — “Experience developing and testing real-time embedded hardware / software systems.”
  • Individuals who have worked on full-stack spacecraft systems from design to operational support
    — “The Senior Space 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.”

Things to consider

  • On-site presence is required in El Segundo, CA, with no mention of remote flexibility
    — “This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.”
  • Only U.S. persons are eligible due to export-controlled technology access
    — “our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with spacecraft firmware and real-time embedded system validation
    — “Develop reliable firmware to control how the spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operate through the entire mission.”
  • Emphasize your background in safety-critical software design and testing
    — “Experience with safety-critical software, especially for aerospace applications.”
  • Showcase your ability to own end-to-end software development and integration processes
    — “Own all aspects of software development, from design, testing, and integration.”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • developed reliable firmware for spacecraft
  • led the design and testing of safety-critical software
  • implemented software test and verification techniques
Typical background
degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering5+ years of experience in spacecraft or similar safety-critical software

Skills & requirements

Required

Embedded SystemsFirmware DevelopmentRTOSLinuxC++Real-time SystemsSafety-critical SoftwareSoftware TestVerification And Validation

Preferred

PythonRustComputer ArchitectureOperating SystemsData StructuresComputer Networking

Stack & domain

C++PythonRustAerospace

About the role

Original posting from Varda Space Industries via Greenhouse

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. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

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 Senior Space 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: $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.

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. 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.

“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).

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

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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.

Source: Varda Space Industries careers (Greenhouse)

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