Robotics Software Engineer I/II - Embedded Systems

Rocket Lab USA; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Company equity

HSA option

Paid vacation and sick leave

Onsite gym and meals

EV charging stations

Stock discount program

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Pasadena, CA seeks a Software Engineer I/II - Robotics to develop software for robotic platforms, motion-control, sensing, and production tools. You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and quality teams to deliver reliable hardware-integrated software in a fast-paced environment.

The role offers hands-on development across design, simulation, hardware bring-up, and production support, with opportunities to grow into higher levels.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of professional software engineering experience, including software for robotics, motion control, embedded systems, hardware systems, or other complex technical products.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Python.
• Experience with robotics frameworks such as ROS or ROS 2, including real-time variants or real-time robotics applications.
• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware such as motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, motion controllers, embedded systems, machine vision, or industrial networks.
• Experience with real-time or embedded software, including an understanding of control loops, deterministic timing, and hardware bring-up.
• Solid software engineering fundamentals, including architecture, Git-based workflows, code reviews, CI/CD, automated testing, release practices, documentation, and production support.
• Experience developing in Linux environments.
• Demonstrated ability to define requirements, evaluate alternatives, support stakeholder alignment, and deliver software solutions in a cross-functional hardware development environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software for robotic systems, embedded interfaces, control applications, test systems, and operator-facing Hang tools.
• Implement software for robotic platforms, motion-control systems, sensing systems, machine interfaces, production support tools, and hardware test 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, interfaces, verification approaches, and release criteria.
• Integrate software with motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, motion controllers, embedded systems, machine vision systems, industrial networks, and robotic equipment.
• Troubleshoot issues across software, controls, electrical hardware, sensors, actuators, networks, robotic hardware, and production equipment.
• Support software quality through code reviews, version control, CI/CD, automated testing, documentation, release practices, and production support practices.
• Communicate software status, technical risks, trade studies, test results, and implementation plans to technical and cross-functional stakeholders.

Skills

C++

Python

ROS/ROS 2

Linux

Embedded systems

Git workflows

CI/CD

Hardware integration

Communication

Education

B.S. in Software/Engineering

Tools

ROS/ROS 2

Job description

Rocket Lab USA in Pasadena, CA seeks a Software Engineer I/II - Robotics to develop software for robotic platforms, motion-control, sensing, and production tools. You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and quality teams to deliver reliable hardware-integrated software in a fast-paced environment.

The role offers hands-on development across design, simulation, hardware bring-up, and production support, with opportunities to grow into higher levels.