Space Firmware Engineer, Safety-Critical C++ Systems

About the company

Varda operates in-orbit manufacturing capsules that use microgravity crystallization to produce pharmaceuticals and biologics, supports process engineering via a terrestrial lab and hyper-gravity screening, and manufactures spacecraft in-house.

About this role

<div class="content-intro"><h2><span data-contrast="none">About Varda</span></h2> <p>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.&nbsp;<strong>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.</strong></p> <p>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. &nbsp;</p> <p>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. &nbsp;</p> <p>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.&nbsp;</p> <p>Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.</p></div><h2 id="JobRequisitionFlightSoftwareEngineer-Requirements">What you will do (Job Responsibilities)</h2> <p>The Firmware Engineer on 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.</p> <ul> <li>Develop reliable firmware to control how the spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operate through the entire mission.</li> <li>Own all aspects of software development, from design, testing, and integration.</li> <li>Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades given open-ended problems.</li> <li>Write quality structured bare metal, RTOS, or Linux based software for embedded processors in C++.</li> <li>Build highly reliable and available software systems.</li> <li>Ensure system quality and performance through software test, verification, and validation (V&amp;V) techniques.</li> </ul> <h2 id="JobRequisitionFlightSoftwareEngineer-BasicQualifications">What you will bring (Basic Qualifications)</h2> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering or equivalent technical experience in safety critical software.</li> <li>3+ years of experience in the development of spacecraft or similar safety critical software.</li> <li>Experience developing and testing real-time embedded hardware / software systems.</li> <li>Experience with development in C++, along with a strong understanding of language concepts.</li> </ul> <h2 id="JobRequisitionFlightSoftwareEngineer-NicetoHave">What would be a plus (Preferred Qualifications)</h2> <ul> <li>Experience with safety-critical software, especially for aerospace applications.</li> <li>Experience with additional programming languages such as Python or Rust.</li> <li>Strong understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, data structures, and computer networking.</li> </ul> <h2>How Varda compensates</h2> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="14" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="9" data-aria-level="1">Salary range: $131,000 - $184,000 annually.</li> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="14" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="10" data-aria-level="1">This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.</li> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="14" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="10" data-aria-level="1">Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance.</li> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="14" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="10" data-aria-level="1"><span data-teams="true">Offer compensation also includes the ability to receive stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan.</span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span data-teams="true">#LI-VSI</span></p><div class="content-conclusion"><div> <h2><span data-contrast="auto">Benefits</span></h2> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive&nbsp;(at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Health &amp; Wellness</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}">&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast