Flight Software Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corp.; Littleton, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corp. in Littleton, CO is seeking a Flight Software Engineer I to contribute to the development of flight software for Space Systems programs. You will participate in all stages from requirements through coding and testing, with on-orbit validation possible in weeks rather than years.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's in a relevant field, hands-on embedded software experience, and strong C/C++ skills. Familiarity with RTOS or Embedded Linux is required; U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant engineering/computer science field.
• Experience with embedded software development.
• Proficiency in C and C++ languages.
• U.S. citizenship required for program work.
• Nice-to-have: security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop flight software for spacecraft systems.
• Work with RTOS/Embedded Linux environments.
• Develop and maintain hardware drivers for sensors.
• Support on-orbit testing and flight operations.
• Collaborate with systems and hardware teams.

Skills

Embedded software development

C/C++ programming

RTOS / Embedded Linux

Space industry knowledge

U.S. citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent technical degree

Tools

RTOS

Embedded Linux

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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

FLIGHT SOFTWARE ENGINEER I

We are currently seeking a Flight Software Engineer Ifor our team based out our Littleton, CO site. In this role, you will play a key role in supporting the development of flight software for our Space Systems programs. You’ll spend your days participating in all aspects of software design and development, from requirements definition through coding and testing. And when we say test, we mean your software will be on orbit within weeks and months, not years. Thanks to having our own rockets and launch sites, we have frequent opportunities to test and operate our software on orbit. To be successful in this role, you must want to see your software make a big impact on the way we explore space and use it as a platform for discovery and innovation. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Develop application software to run within a Real Time Operating System (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux
• Develop hardware drivers to interface to Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels and other spacecraft sensors and actuators
• Develop and maintain comprehensive unit tests to run within a Continuous Integration framework
• Collaborate with hardware-in-the-loop test engineers to verify and validate combined software and hardware functionality
• Collaborate with systems engineers and embedded systems engineers in developing, documenting and validating requirements
• Participate in review of source code changes and ensure all changes meet company coding standards
• Participate in design reviews such as a PDR and CDR
• Assist with on-orbit (and interplanetary!) flight operations

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent technical degree
• Experience in embedded software development
• Proficiency in C and C++ languages
• Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or with Embedded Linux
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Active Secret or TS/SCI security clearance
• Experience with Rust language