Flight Software Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking an Electron Flight Software Engineer I to design, maintain, and support software for the Electron rocket and ground systems. You will work on avionics, telemetry, and control software across production, testing, and launch phases, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to deliver reliable flight software.

Minimum 2 years in software engineering with a degree in software, CS, or EE is required; experience with high-reliability, networking, SDR/encoding, embedded

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years of software engineering experience.
• Nice to have: experience with high-reliability software systems.
• Nice to have: networking and SDR/encoding knowledge.
• Nice to have: embedded software development fundamentals.
• Nice to have: experience in Linux environments.
• Nice to have: data processing and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Launch Vehicle Avionics Embedded Computers.
• Ground Segment Communications.
• Avionics simulations (Hardware-in-the-loop).
• Develop software and unit tests for bug-fix and feature requests.
• Documentation for operation of software products.
• Review flight code merges and participate in arch. meetings.
• Approve software architecture designs and keep tickets updated.
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings and deliver training on software usage.
• Deploy operational software.

Skills

Embedded software

Linux

Networking

High-reliability software

Education

Software Engineering degree

Computer Science degree

Electrical Engineering degree

Equivalent level

Job description

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab . Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space . You’ll work alongside driven , talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels , all committed to the same mission . Our engineering team members span design , analysis , prototyping , testing , manufacturing , assembly and integration , quality control , engineering documentation , and more.

FLIGHT SOFTWARE ENGINEER I - ELECTRON

Electron flight software provides critical support to vehicle systems through launch and on orbit, operating rocket and spacecraft avionics, collecting and distributing telemetry and commands, and hosting guidance, navigation and control software. Flight software is used through the full lifecycle of the Electron rocket, from production to launch.

An ElectronFlight Software engineerwillberesponsible forcreation,maintenanceand support of software onboththe Electronrocketandassociatedground-based communication systems.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Flight Software
  • Launch Vehicle Avionics Embedded Computers
  • Ground Segment Communications
  • Avionics simulations (including Hardware-in-the-loop)
• Software Development
  • Develop software and unit tests according to bug-fix and feature requests
  • Develop documentation for operation of software products
  • Participate in review of flight code merge requests
  • Facilitate software architecture meetings
  • Approve software architecture designs
  • Keep tickets up to date regarding work in progress
  • Manage trade-studies
  • Approve Software Requirements
  • Facilitate stakeholder meetings
  • Deliver training on use of software products
  • Deploy operational software

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering ordemonstratedequivalent level of knowledge.
• Minimum of 2 years experience within a software engineering related discipline

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with high-reliability software systems.
• Experience with networking.
• Radio communications and related technologies such as SDR, encoding schemes.
• Embedded software development fundamentals.
• Experience developing within Linux systems.
• Data processing and analysis.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.