Senior Flight Software Architect - Space Systems

Rocket Lab Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Software Engineer in Tucson, AZ to lead the development of spacecraft flight software for advanced space systems. You will design, implement, and test software that runs on constrained hardware and supports safety-critical missions.

You will mentor engineers, shape software architecture, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive performance-oriented coding practices while ensuring compliance with security and mission requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering is required.
• 12+ years of embedded software engineering experience listed in the qualifications.
• Experience designing complex multithreaded applications is required.
• 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.
• Focus on deployment of algorithms into austere, constrained hardware environments.
• Lead cross-functional teams to define technical requirements and deliver integrated solutions.
• Provide technical leadership in software design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Define and influence software architecture, interfaces, and standards for scalable solutions.
• Mentor engineers and foster engineering excellence across teams.

Skills

Embedded software

Multithreaded design

Leadership

Python

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering

Tools

FPGA

CUDA

Flight software

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Software Engineer in Tucson, AZ to lead the development of spacecraft flight software for advanced space systems. You will design, implement, and test software that runs on constrained hardware and supports safety-critical missions.

You will mentor engineers, shape software architecture, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive performance-oriented coding practices while ensuring compliance with security and mission requirements.