Flight Software Engineer

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a comprehensive aerospace company focused on building rockets, spacecraft, and essential subsystem technology that enhances global connectivity, security, and humanity’s exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We deliver tangible hardware for impactful missions at a rapid pace, making previously impossible feats commonplace.

Engineering at Rocket Lab

Engineering forms the core of Rocket Lab, with a proven history of creating world-class rockets and spacecraft that revolutionize space access and utilization. Our diverse engineering team spans design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, integration, quality assurance, and documentation.

Role Description: Flight Software Engineer - Electron

The Electron flight software team develops essential systems that manage rocket and spacecraft avionics during launch and orbit, including telemetry handling, command distribution, and hosting guidance, navigation and control software. These flight software systems are integral throughout the Electron rocket’s complete lifecycle, from production through launch.

As a Flight Software Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, supporting, and maintaining software for both the Electron rocket and related ground communication infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain embedded flight software for launch vehicle avionics.
• Work with ground segment communication software to support telemetry and command functions.
• Conduct avionics simulations, including hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Write software and unit tests to address bug fixes and implement new features.
• Prepare comprehensive documentation to support software operations.
• Review and approve flight code merge requests and software architecture designs.
• Lead software architecture meetings and stakeholder discussions.
• Maintain detailed records of work progress via ticketing systems.
• Perform trade studies and approve software requirements.
• Provide training sessions on the use of software products.
• Oversee deployment of operational software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or comparable experience.
• At least two years of experience in a software engineering role.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming languages.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in developing software for high-reliability systems.
• Knowledge of networking concepts.
• Familiarity with radio communications and related technologies such as Software Defined Radio and encoding techniques.
• Fundamentals of embedded software development.
• Experience working with Linux-based systems.
• Python programming skills.
• Data processing and analytical capabilities.

Work Environment and Culture

At Rocket Lab, the mission is to unlock space's potential to benefit life on Earth, a challenging goal demanding hard work, innovation, teamwork, determination, and grit. Our culture values humility, collaboration, and a get-it-done attitude. Team members thrive under pressure and focus on solutions rather than obstacles.

Additional Important Information

US-based applicants: Due to export control regulations (ITAR), eligibility to work in the U.S. requires U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, refugee/asylee status, or eligibility for necessary government authorizations.

New Zealand-based applicants: Security background checks are mandatory prior to employment offers. Additionally, due to ITAR, candidates must be citizens of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, NATO countries, or hold eligible citizenships. Dual citizenships may affect eligibility.

Rocket Lab is committed to equal employment opportunity, prohibiting discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other protected characteristics according to applicable laws. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process.