Flight Software Engineer II

Rocketlab; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Job summary

Rocketlab is seeking a Flight Software Engineer II based in Littleton, Colorado. In this role, you will support the development of flight software for space systems programs and actively contribute to design and testing.

The ideal candidate holds a relevant Bachelor’s degree and has over 2 years of experience in embedded software development, along with expertise in C/C++ and Real Time Operating Systems.

This position offers a competitive base salary ranging from $100,000 to $120,000, along with perks such as medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, and more.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of demonstrated applicable experience in embedded software development.
• Experience with hardware drivers for spacecraft sensors and actuators.
• Proficiency in developing unit tests within a Continuous Integration framework.

Responsibilities

• Develop application software within a Real Time Operating System (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux.
• Collaborate with engineers to verify and validate software and hardware functionality.
• Assist with on-orbit flight operations.

Skills

C and C++ proficiency

Embedded software development

Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

Active Secret security clearance

U.S. citizenship

Education

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

Tools

Embedded Linux

Job description

Flight Software Engineer II

We are currently seeking a Flight Software Engineer II for our team based out of 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.

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
• 2+ years of demonstrated applicable experience in embedded software development
• Proficiency in C and C++ languages
• Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or with Embedded Linux
• Active Secret security clearance OR ability to obtain and maintain one
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Active TS/SCI security clearance
• Advanced Degree
• Experience developing software and drivers with CAN/CAN‑FD and/or UDP/TCP within an embedded system
• Experience developing software for autonomous vehicles operating in harsh environments, such as satellites or autonomous vehicles

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.

Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Base Pay Range (CO Only): $100,000 — $120,000 USD

IMPORTANT information:

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.

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, ITAR Regulations.