Varda Space Industries
Firmware Engineer, C++
About this role
Varda seeks a Firmware Engineer to develop critical flight software controlling spacecraft and reentry capsules in orbit. You'll own the complete software lifecycle from design through testing, writing reliable C++ code for real-time embedded systems that must perform flawlessly in space.
What you'll do
- Develop and maintain firmware controlling spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operations throughout missions
- Lead full software development cycle including design, testing, integration, and verification
- Capture requirements and conduct design trades for open-ended aerospace problems
- Write structured C++ code for bare metal, RTOS, or Linux-based embedded processors
- Perform software testing, verification, and validation to ensure system reliability
- Support flight operations and troubleshoot in-orbit software issues
What they're looking for
- C++ programming with strong language fundamentals
- Real-time embedded systems and RTOS development
- Safety-critical software design and validation
- Hardware-software integration and testing
- Computer architecture and operating systems knowledge
- Data structures and computer networking
- Python or Rust (preferred)
- Aerospace software development experience
Benefits
- Salary range: $131,000–$184,000 annually
- Work on cutting-edge commercial space infrastructure
- On-site role in El Segundo, CA with modern production facility
- Team of aerospace veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and major tech companies
- Backing from world-class investors including Khosla Ventures and Founders Fund
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Varda Space Industries
Varda Space Industries builds commercial spacecraft and orbital manufacturing systems for missions in low Earth orbit, including reentry capsules and satellite buses. The company is hiring mission operations engineers, software engineers (ground segment, flight, and embedded), and manufacturing engineers to develop mission-critical systems, operational infrastructure, and scalable production capabilities.
- Website
- varda.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe your experience developing firmware for safety-critical systems and how you ensured reliability and correctness
- Walk us through a real-time embedded project you owned end-to-end, from requirements to flight or deployment