Principal Flight Software Engineer, Space Systems

Rocket Lab USA; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to design flight software for spacecraft supporting SDA Tranche 3. You will lead architecture, mentor engineers, and drive performance‑oriented software across constrained sensor systems.

The role requires 12+ years in embedded software, multithreaded and flight software experience, and the ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance. FPGA/CUDA experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of embedded software engineering experience.
• Experience in designing complex multithreaded applications.
• Experience designing flight software.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Play a key role supporting the development of payload flight software for Space Systems programs.
• Lead deployment of algorithms into austere Space/Size/Weight/Power constrained sensor systems.
• Provide technical leadership in software design, implementation, testing, deployment.
• Define software architecture, interfaces, and standards for scalable solutions.
• Mentor engineers and drive engineering excellence across teams.
• Support planning, estimation, risk management, and milestone delivery.

Skills

Embedded software engineering

Multithreaded design

Flight software

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering

Tools

FPGA

CUDA

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to design flight software for spacecraft supporting SDA Tranche 3. You will lead architecture, mentor engineers, and drive performance‑oriented software across constrained sensor systems.

The role requires 12+ years in embedded software, multithreaded and flight software experience, and the ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance. FPGA/CUDA experience is a plus.