Robotics Software Engineer I/II

Rocket Lab; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Pasadena, CA is seeking a Software Engineer I/II - Robotics to develop software for robotic platforms, motion-control, sensing, and production tools. This hands-on role collaborates with mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, test, quality, and operations teams to turn robotics concepts into reliable systems.

The ideal candidate brings strong C++ and Python skills, ROS/ROS 2 experience, and hands-on hardware integration.

Qualifications

• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 0-2 years of professional software engineering experience, including software for robotics or embedded systems.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Python.
• Experience with robotics frameworks such as ROS or ROS 2, including real-time variants.
• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware such as motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, or machine vision.
• Experience with real-time or embedded software and deterministic timing.
• Solid fundamentals: architecture, Git workflows, CI/CD, automated testing, documentation., production support.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software for robotic systems, embedded interfaces, control applications, test systems, and operator-facing tools.
• Implement software for robotic platforms and production environments.
• Support software development from concept through implementation, simulation, hardware bring-up, integration, test, deployment, troubleshooting, and production support.
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, controls, systems, manufacturing, test, and quality teams to define requirements and interfaces.
• Integrate software with motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, motion controllers, embedded systems, machine vision, and industrial networks.
• Troubleshoot issues across software, controls, electrical hardware, sensors, actuators, networks, and production equipment.
• Participate in code reviews, CI/CD, automated testing, and documentation to ensure software quality.

Skills

C++

Python

ROS/ROS 2

Embedded systems

Hardware integration

Linux

Git

CI/CD

Education

Software Engineering

Computer Science

Electrical Engineering

Robotics

Mechatronics

Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ROS/ROS 2

Linux

Git

CI/CD

Job description

Rocket Lab in Pasadena, CA is seeking a Software Engineer I/II - Robotics to develop software for robotic platforms, motion-control, sensing, and production tools. This hands-on role collaborates with mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, test, quality, and operations teams to turn robotics concepts into reliable systems.

The ideal candidate brings strong C++ and Python skills, ROS/ROS 2 experience, and hands-on hardware integration.