Senior Flight Software Engineer - Real-Time Space Systems

Rocket Lab; Long Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company stock

Employee Stock Purchase Program (15%)

Top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, HDHP

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

Subsidized EV charging

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted gym memberships

Snacks and beverages

50% merch store discount

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Flight Software Engineer I to contribute to the development of flight software for Space Systems programs. You’ll participate in all phases—from requirements definition to coding and testing—and see your software operate on orbit within weeks.

The role demands a bachelor’s degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent, plus 5+ years of embedded software experience, proficiency in C/C++, and RTOS or Embedded Linux.

Qualifications

• 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++

RTOS/Embedded Linux

Security clearance

U.S. citizenship

Education

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

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Flight Software Engineer I to contribute to the development of flight software for Space Systems programs. You’ll participate in all phases—from requirements definition to coding and testing—and see your software operate on orbit within weeks.

The role demands a bachelor’s degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent, plus 5+ years of embedded software experience, proficiency in C/C++, and RTOS or Embedded Linux.