Varda Space Industries
Space Embedded Software Engineer, C++
About this role
Varda seeks an embedded software engineer to develop mission-critical firmware for spacecraft, satellite buses, and reentry capsules operating in low Earth orbit. You'll own the complete software lifecycle—from requirements and design through testing and flight operations—using C++ for real-time embedded systems that must perform flawlessly in space.
What you'll do
- Develop reliable firmware controlling spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule behavior throughout orbital missions
- Lead all aspects of software development including design, testing, integration, and verification
- Capture requirements and conduct design trade studies for open-ended spacecraft challenges
- Write structured bare-metal, RTOS, or Linux-based C++ software for embedded processors
- Perform verification, validation, and testing to ensure system quality and performance
- Support flight operations and troubleshoot spacecraft software issues in orbit
What they're looking for
- C++ development with strong language fundamentals
- Real-time embedded systems and hardware-software integration
- Safety-critical and aerospace software development
- Testing, verification, and validation (V&V) methodologies
- Bare-metal, RTOS, or Linux kernel programming
- Requirements capture and system design
- Python or Rust (preferred)
- Computer architecture and operating systems
Benefits
- Competitive salary: $131,000–$184,000 annually
- On-site position in El Segundo, California with company production facility
- Work on cutting-edge space infrastructure and in-orbit pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Team of SpaceX, Blue Origin, and aerospace industry veterans
- 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 in mission-critical applications.
- Walk us through a complex real-time embedded project you led—what were the technical challenges and how did you approach testing and validation?