Software Engineering Manager

Software Engineering Manager

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.

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.

About This Role

The Flight Software team is responsible for determining how our spacecraft behaves and operates in orbit and builds reliable software for the ground and vehicle to ensure our missions succeed. The team is responsible for all phases of development, starting from requirements capture through test, and flight operational support. This role is a leadership position within the software team that will drive the roadmap and delivery of mission-critical software for the vehicle or the ground stack.

Responsibilities

• Lead a focused team of software engineers to architect and develop the software and applications enabling Varda's existing, and upcoming missions
• Take ownership of the delivery for your team's software's lifecycle, including design, testing, and integration
• Work with cross-functional stakeholders and other leaders to deliver a working end-to-end system during integration and after launch
• Manage and mentor a team of talented software engineers
• Work with Varda's recruiting team to define and realize growth needs for your team
• Aid in constant refinement in the definition of how Varda approaches software development and verification

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 5 years of professional software development experience, with at least 2 years of experience in support of aerospace or safety-critical applications.
• Demonstratable excellent verbal and technical communication skills.
• Experience with mentoring team members and comfortable in providing feedback to support professional or technical growth.
• Experience with C++ and Python.
• Experience in building solutions to open-ended engineering challenges with multidisciplinary requirements.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Previous experience in managing small engineering or project teams.
• Experience developing and communicating project technical roadmaps.
• Strong understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, and data structures.
• Functional understanding and experience with computer networking concepts.

Pay Range

• Salary range: $170,000 - $250,000
• 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
• You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards