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Salary: USD 108,000 - 135,000 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a Software Engineer II - Robotics to develop software for robotic platforms, motion-control systems, sensing systems, machine interfaces, test systems, and production support tools at their Pasadena, CA facility. This is a hands-on role that works closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, test, quality, and operations teams to turn robotics concepts into reliable working systems.
You will support the full lifecycle of robotic systems: design, implementation, simulation, hardware bring-up, integration, test, deployment, troubleshooting, and production support. Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining software for robotic systems and embedded interfaces; implementing control applications and operator-facing tools; integrating software with motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, motion controllers, embedded systems, machine vision systems, and industrial networks; troubleshooting across software, controls, electrical hardware, and production equipment; supporting software quality through code reviews, version control, CI/CD, automated testing, and documentation; and communicating technical status, risks, and implementation plans to cross-functional stakeholders.
Rocket Lab's Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security initiatives, building spacecraft and components for missions to the Moon and Mars in partnership with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience
- 2–5 years of professional software engineering experience in robotics, motion control, embedded systems, hardware systems, or complex technical products
- Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Python
- Experience with robotics frameworks such as ROS or ROS 2, including real-time variants or real-time robotics applications
- Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware (motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, motion controllers, embedded systems, machine vision, industrial networks)
- Experience with real-time or embedded software, including control loops, deterministic timing, and hardware bring-up
- Solid software engineering fundamentals: architecture, Git-based workflows, code reviews, CI/CD, automated testing, release practices, documentation, production support
- Experience developing in Linux environments
- Demonstrated ability to define requirements, evaluate alternatives, support stakeholder alignment, and deliver solutions in cross-functional hardware development environments
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with motion planning, kinematics, dynamics, trajectory generation, controls software, robot calibration, perception systems, state estimation, or sensor fusion
- Experience with real-time operating systems, bare-metal embedded development, hard real-time control, or safety-critical software
- Experience with spacecraft, embedded, or industrial communication interfaces (CAN/CANopen, SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, EtherCAT, SPI/I2C, Ethernet, TCP/IP, Modbus, OPC UA, PLCs, safety controllers, fieldbus protocols)
- Experience with simulation, digital twins, hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, flatsat, testbed environments, automated test equipment, or production test systems
- Experience designing for fault tolerance, redundancy, cybersecurity, configuration control, or operation in radiation, thermal, vacuum, or harsh environments
- Experience in aerospace, defense, space, advanced manufacturing, industrial robotics, medical device, or high-reliability hardware environments
- Strong communication skills translating complex technical issues into clear plans and decisions for technical and non-technical stakeholders
NOTE: This position requires U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or eligible authorization per ITAR regulations for U.S. office work.
