Senior Spacecraft Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Back to Jobs
Varda logo

Senior Spacecraft Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Varda

169,000–216,000 / Year

Location

El Segundo, California, United States

Experience

Senior

Posted

Jul 30, 2026

Apply by

August 29, 2026

Applicants

0

Early applicantEasy applyFull-timeWork from Office

Job Description

## 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. ## What you will do (Job Responsibilities) 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. - Develop reliable flight software that determine how the spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operate throughout the entire mission. - Write quality structured bare metal, RTOS, or Linux based software for embedded processors in C++. - Own all aspects of software development, from design, testing, and integration. - Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades given open-ended problems. - Ensure system quality and performance through software test, verification, and validation (V&V) technique. - Teamwork, communicate and problem solve in a collaborative environment. ## What you will bring (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 with development in C++, along with a strong understanding of the language concepts. ## What would be a plus (Preferred Qualifications) - End-to-end experience building and launching a spacecraft. - Experience developing and testing real-time embedded systems. - Experience with safety-critical software, especially for aerospace applications. - Experience with CCSDS telemetry and telecommand system. - Experience with F' or cFS framework. - Experience with Python, or Rust. - Knowledge of basic analog and digital electronics. - Familiarity with SPI, I2C, CAN, EtherCAT. - Relevant industries: SBIR, STTR, automotive, robotics, medical devices. ## How Varda compensates - Salary range: $169,000 - $216,000 annually. - 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. - Offer compensation also includes the ability to receive stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan. #LI-VSI ## Benefits 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 (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits): Health & Wellness - Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays - 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options - Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance - $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses - 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers) - Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic - Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents Financial & Retirement - Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up - 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested) - $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement - Relocation support for new hires, if needed Workplace Experience & Perks - Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly - Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations - Complimentary EV charging ## 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](https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.e-verify.gov%2Femployees%2Fe-verify-overview&data=05%7C01%7Ctyree%40varda.com%7C22201ef47a8142f3b0a708dbd0f6e47b%7C1b36161382e94a8784f78a213228882f%7C0%7C0%7C638333531041144158%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3toCq47V%2FiQtV%2B5rEKFG0tfg0yXkNTv4SuLE2Xy40Rk%3D&reserved=0) program. E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice Read more Read more 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.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop reliable flight software for spacecraft, satellite buses, and reentry capsules.
  • Write quality structured bare metal, RTOS, or Linux based software for embedded processors in C++.
  • Own all aspects of software development, including design, testing, and integration.
  • Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades.
  • Ensure system quality and performance through software test, verification, and validation.
  • Collaborate with the team to communicate and problem solve.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science
  • math
  • physics
  • engineering or equivalent technical experience in safety critical software

Skills Required

C++RTOSLinuxEmbedded SystemsSoftware DevelopmentSoftware TestingVerification and ValidationTeamworkCommunicationProblem solvingEnd-to-end spacecraft building and launchingReal-time embedded systemsSafety-critical softwareCCSDS telemetry and telecommandF' or cFS frameworkPythonRustAnalog and digital electronicsSPII2CCANEtherCAT

Benefits

  • Flexible PTO policy
  • 12 paid holidays
  • 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • FSA and employer-matched HSA options
  • Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
  • $120/month wellness reimbursement
  • 12 weeks of parental leave
  • Family building and parenting benefits
  • Sponsored One Medical memberships
  • Substantial incentive equity
  • 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match
  • $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
  • Relocation support
  • Fully stocked kitchen with daily lunch and twice-weekly dinner
  • Company and team-bonding events
  • Complimentary EV charging

App exclusive · Free

Smart Job AI Coach

Your personal interview coach on every job — readiness tips, profile improvements, and role-specific prep. Available only in the Pulse Job app.

Interview readiness

See how prepared you are and what to improve for each role.

Personalized tips

Actionable suggestions based on your profile and the job.

After you apply

Keep coaching momentum from job detail through application success.

Get Smart Job AI Coach in the appFree on iOS and Android