SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to serve as Chief Software Engineer for a major constellation program. You will lead the design, development, and delivery of mission-critical software systems for space-based applications, working across flight software, embedded systems, and ground software.
Key responsibilities include:
- Define and evolve end-to-end software architecture for flight and ground systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, security, and mission success
- Design application software for spacecraft operating within Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) such as VxWorks or embedded Linux
- Develop hardware drivers for spacecraft sensors and actuators including IMUs, Star Trackers, and Reaction Wheels
- Architect and deploy web-based ground software platforms for spacecraft operations
- Develop unit tests within Continuous Integration frameworks and collaborate with hardware-in-the-loop test engineers
- Provide technical direction and mentorship to engineering teams
- Act as trusted advisor to leadership on software systems and mission requirements
- Support on-orbit operations and ensure software performance in harsh space environments
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical discipline
- 12+ years of professional software development experience, including embedded systems and ground software
- Proven expertise architecting scalable and reliable software systems for aerospace or defense applications
- Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded software development and Python for testing
- Experience with Digital and Analog Inputs/Outputs (DIO/AIO)
- Experience integrating hardware, implementing ICDs, and debugging
- Experience deriving Flight Software architecture from electrical design, reading master ICD lists and schematics
- Experience with RF ground-to-space communication
- U.S. citizenship required
- Active TS/SCI security clearance required
Nice-to-have qualifications include advanced degree in aerospace engineering or computer science, strong systems-level thinking, and experience developing software and drivers with specific aerospace platforms.
