Senior Flight Software Engineer I

rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock Purchase Program

Medical plans

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Flight Software Engineer I to lead the development of real-time software for space systems. You will work across requirements, design, coding, and testing, with on-orbit validation opportunities and close collaboration with hardware and systems teams.

You should have a Bachelor's degree in a technical field and at least 5 years of embedded software experience, strong C/C++ skills, and the ability to obtain security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent technical degree.
• 5+ years of demonstrated applicable experience in embedded software development.
• Proficiency in C and C++ languages.
• Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or with Embedded Linux.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

Responsibilities

• Develop application software to run within a Real Time Operating System (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux
• Develop hardware drivers to interface to Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels and other spacecraft sensors and actuators
• Develop and maintain comprehensive unit tests to run within a Continuous Integration framework
• Collaborate with hardware-in-the-loop test engineers to verify and validate combined software and hardware functionality
• Collaborate with systems engineers and embedded systems engineers in developing, documenting and validating requirements
• Participate in review of source code changes and ensure all changes meet company coding standards
• Participate in design reviews such as a PDR and CDR
• Assist with on-orbit (and interplanetary) flight operations

Skills

C and C++ programming

RTOS / Embedded Linux

Security clearance eligibility

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent technical degree

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR FLIGHT SOFTWARE ENGINEER I

We are currently seeking a Senior Flight Software Engineer I for our team based out of headquarters in Long Beach, CA . In this role, you will play a key role in supporting the development of flight software for our Space Systems programs. You'll spend your days participating in all aspects of software design and development, from requirements definition through coding and testing. And when we say test, we mean your software will be on orbit within weeks and months, not years. Thanks to having our own rockets and launch sites, we have frequent opportunities to test and operate our software on orbit. To be successful in this role, you must want to see your software make a big impact on the way we explore space and use it as a platform for discovery and innovation. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Develop application software to run within a Real Time Operating System (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux


• Develop hardware drivers to interface to Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels and other spacecraft sensors and actuators


• Develop and maintain comprehensive unit tests to run within a Continuous Integration framework


• Collaborate with hardware-in-the-loop test engineers to verify and validate combined software and hardware functionality


• Collaborate with systems engineers and embedded systems engineers in developing, documenting and validating requirements


• Participate in review of source code changes and ensure all changes meet company coding standards


• Participate in design reviews such as a PDR and CDR


• Assist with on-orbit (and interplanetary) flight operations

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS SENIOR FLIGHT SOFTWARE ENGINEER I:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent technical degree


• 5+ years of demonstrated applicable experience in embedded software development


• Proficiency in C and C++ languages


• Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or with Embedded Linux


• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance


• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Active Secret or TS/SCI security clearance


• Advanced Degree


• Experience developing software and drivers with CAN/CAN-FD and/or UDP/TCP within an embedded system


• Experience developing software for autonomous vehicles operating in harsh environments, such as satellites or autonomous vehicles

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package , giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fit