Robotics Software Engineer II — Embedded & Motion Control

Rocketlab; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical plans (HMO, PPO, HDHP with HSA

Dental & Vision

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

Flexible spending accounts

Parental leave

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Gym memberships discount

Snacks and beverages

Job summary

Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA is seeking a hands-on Software Engineer II specializing in robotics software and hardware integration. You will develop and maintain software for robotic platforms, motion-control systems, and production test environments, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable systems.

The role emphasizes real‑time and embedded software, Linux development, and strong fundamentals in architecture, CI/CD, and testing.

Qualifications

• Degree in Software Engineering, CS, EE, Robotics, Mechatronics, or equivalent.
• 2–5 years of professional software engineering experience in robotics/embedded/hardware systems.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Experience with ROS/ROS 2, including real-time variants.
• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware.
• Experience with real-time or embedded software and hardware bring-up.
• Solid fundamentals: architecture, Git workflows, CI/CD, testing, documentation.
• Experience developing in Linux environments.
• Ability to define requirements and deliver in cross-functional hardware development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software for robotic systems, embedded interfaces, control applications, test systems, and operator-facing 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

Robotics software

Linux environments

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, CS, EE, Robotics, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Git

CI/CD

Linux

Job description

Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA is seeking a hands-on Software Engineer II specializing in robotics software and hardware integration. You will develop and maintain software for robotic platforms, motion-control systems, and production test environments, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable systems.

The role emphasizes real‑time and embedded software, Linux development, and strong fundamentals in architecture, CI/CD, and testing.