SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer to serve as Chief Software Engineer for a major constellation program based in Long Beach, CA. This is a pivotal technical leadership role focused on designing, developing, and delivering mission-critical software systems for space-based applications.
You will lead the design and evolution of end-to-end software architecture for both flight and ground systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, security, and mission success. Key responsibilities include developing flight software for spacecraft operating within Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) such as VxWorks or embedded Linux, implementing hardware drivers for spacecraft sensors and actuators (IMUs, Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels), and architecting web-based ground software platforms for spacecraft operations.
You will develop unit tests within a Continuous Integration framework, collaborate with hardware-in-the-loop test engineers to verify combined software and hardware functionality, and provide technical direction and mentorship to engineering teams. You'll act as a trusted advisor to leadership, partner with stakeholders to align software systems with mission requirements, and support on-orbit operations to ensure software performance in harsh environments.
Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical discipline; 15+ 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 development and Python for testing; experience with digital and analog I/O integration; hardware integration experience including ICDs and debugging; flight software architecture derivation from electrical design; RF ground-to-space communication experience; U.S. citizenship; and an active TS/SCI security clearance.
Desirable qualifications include an advanced degree in aerospace engineering or computer science, strong systems-level thinking with ability to balance technical trade-offs, and additional aerospace software development experience.
