Software Engineer Neutron Flight Safety Systems

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Neutron is Rocket Labs new medium-lift reusable launch vehicle currently under development. The Neutron Flight Safety Systems team develops Neutrons on-board Flight Safety System responsible for actively monitoring flight progress and terminating flight if safety criteria are not satisfied.

Based in Auckland NZ the Software Engineer will develop and maintain safety-critical software on Neutrons autonomous Flight Termination System (FTS). The FTS interfaces with navigation systems monitors and projects vehicle state and activates termination systems if necessary. Alongside flight code youll build the services tools and interfaces that support development testing simulation and operations across the programme.

This is a mid-level role within a small focused team. Youll be working to established development plans and coding standards with the senior engineers around you reviewing your work and helping you build the certification and safety-critical experience that very few engineers anywhere get access to.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Develop flight code for Neutrons Flight Termination System in accordance with documented software development plans and coding standards.
• Write unit tests for flight safety systems software and develop support code for build deployment unit testing system testing simulation data analysis and operations.
• Contribute to software requirements architecture design and algorithms and document the assumptions and dependencies that go with them.
• Develop and maintain traceability between software requirements design implementation and verification activities.
• Document interfaces between flight safety systems software and its underlying hardware and interfaced equipment.
• Participate in internal and external reviews of software and supporting artifacts and prepare technical reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in formal and informal testing analysis and reporting.
• Contribute to identifying documenting and mitigating flight safety system risks and support system safety assessment activities.
• Support test automation and support integration of the flight safety system into integrated test launch vehicle and launch operations.
• Support operation of the flight safety system during integrated system tests and flight operations.
• Read comprehend and apply relevant regulatory standards and work alongside internal safety reliability quality and licensing teams.

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors or Masters in Software Engineering Computer Science or demonstrated equivalent level of knowledge.
• 3 years software development experience.
• Proficiency in embedded systems development with C.
• Proficiency in Python for test and simulation support.
• Exposure to safety-critical software systems and/or software development in a regulated environment (for example medical devices avionics rail signalling automotive functional safety industrial safety systems nuclear or defence).
• Experience with deployment and CI tooling.
• Proficiency in Git and working with issue trackers.
• An eye for detail and a genuine appetite for engineering rigour documentation and evidence - in this role it compiles and runs isnt the bar.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical decisions clearly to engineers and non-engineers alike.
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with space launch vehicle flight safety systems e.g. RCC-319.
• Experience working to a recognised safety or software assurance standard e.g. DO-178 IEC 62304 ISO 26262 IEC 61508 EN 50128.
• Experience with requirements-driven software design and requirements traceability.
• Experience with Linux development environments.
• Experience with build tools such as CMake or Bazel.
• Experience with real-time operating systems or bare-metal development.
• Experience with MISRA or similar coding standards and static analysis tooling.
• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop testing and working hands-on with flight hardware.
• Experience with serial and network protocols such as CAN RS485/422/232 Ethernet SpaceWire.
• Exposure to liaising with regulators certification bodies or independent verification and validation organisations.
• Knowledge of spacecraft launch vehicles or similarly complex autonomous systems.
• Experience with test procedure or data review quality reporting and working in Jira.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Domestic and international travel may be required.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click here ITAR Regulations.