Varda Space Industries
Spacecraft Embedded Software Engineer, RTOS
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 full software lifecycle—from requirements and design through testing and flight support—using C++ on bare metal, RTOS, or Linux platforms.
What you'll do
- Develop and maintain reliable firmware controlling spacecraft and reentry capsule operations throughout entire missions
- Lead full software development cycle including design, testing, integration, and verification & validation
- Capture requirements and conduct design trades to solve open-ended spacecraft problems
- Write high-quality, structured C++ code for embedded processors in real-time environments
- Build highly reliable and available systems with focus on safety and performance
- Support flight operations and troubleshoot systems in orbit
What they're looking for
- C++ development with strong language fundamentals
- Real-time embedded systems and RTOS experience
- Spacecraft or safety-critical software development
- Software verification, validation, and testing techniques
- Computer architecture and operating systems knowledge
- Python or Rust (preferred)
- Data structures and computer networking
- Aerospace safety-critical standards (preferred)
Benefits
- Competitive salary: $131,000–$184,000 annually
- On-site role in El Segundo, CA with company facility
- Work on cutting-edge commercial space infrastructure
- Team composed of SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Silicon Valley 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 software for safety-critical systems and how you ensured reliability and correctness.
- Walk us through a spacecraft or real-time embedded project where you owned the full development lifecycle from requirements to flight.