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Salary: USD 160,000 - 245,000 / annual
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that enable global connectivity, protection, and humanity's expansion to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
As Principal Flight Software Engineer based in Long Beach, CA, you will play a key role in supporting the development of flight software for Rocket Lab's Space Systems programs. You'll participate in all aspects of software design and development, from requirements definition through coding and testing. Your software will be on orbit within weeks and months, not years, thanks to Rocket Lab's own rockets and launch sites providing frequent opportunities to test and operate software in space.
Key responsibilities include:
- 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 within a Continuous Integration framework
- Collaborate with hardware-in-the-loop test engineers to verify and validate combined software and hardware functionality
- Work with systems engineers and embedded systems engineers in developing, documenting, and validating requirements
- Participate in source code review and ensure all changes meet company coding standards
- Participate in design reviews such as PDR and CDR
- Assist with on-orbit and interplanetary flight operations
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 12+ years of demonstrated applicable experience in embedded software development
- Proficiency in Rust, C++, and C languages
- Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or Embedded Linux
- Experience leading junior software developers, collaborating with other engineering disciplines, and interacting with customers
- Active Security clearance OR ability to obtain and maintain one
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements (ITAR compliance)
Nice-to-have qualifications:
- Master's or PhD in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 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
