Software Engineer III

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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Labwerenot just launching rockets werebuilding the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space like solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems radios and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security anddefenseinitiatives. The team has built spacecraft payloads and components for missions to the Moon and Mars working with partners including NASA the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force. Whetheritsa single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER I/II - ROBOTICS

Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena CA the Software Engineer I/II - Robotics will develop software for robotic platforms motion-control systems sensing systems machine interfaces test systems and production support tools. This role is hands-on and works closely with mechanical electrical controls manufacturing test quality and operations teams to turn robotics concepts into reliable working systems.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on software engineer with strong robotics or hardware-integrated software experience sound software engineering fundamentals and the ability to develop reliable software in a fast-paced hardware development environment. You will support design implementation simulation hardware bring-up integration test deployment troubleshooting and production support for robotic systems.

(Please note: This position can be hired as a Software Engineer I or Software Engineer II)

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Develop and maintain software for robotic systems embedded interfaces control applications test systems and operator-facing tools.
• Implement software for robotic platforms motion-control systems sensing systems machine interfaces production support tools and hardware test environments.
• Support software development from concept through implementation simulation hardware bring-up integration test deployment troubleshooting and production support.
• Partner with mechanical electrical controls systems manufacturing test and quality teams to define requirements interfaces verification approaches and release criteria.
• Integrate software with motors actuators encoders sensors motion controllers embedded systems machine vision systems industrial networks and robotic equipment.
• Troubleshoot issues across software controls electrical hardware sensors actuators networks robotic hardware and production equipment.
• Support software quality through code reviews version control CI/CD automated testing documentation release practices and production support practices.
• Communicate software status technical risks trade studies test results and implementation plans to technical and cross-functional stakeholders.

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER I:

• Degree in Software Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Robotics Mechatronics Aerospace Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 0-2 years of professional software engineering experience including software for robotics motion control embedded systems hardware systems or other 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 such as motors actuators encoders sensors motion controllers embedded systems machine vision or industrial networks.
• Experience with real-time or embedded software including an understanding of control loops deterministic timing and hardware bring-up.
• Solid software engineering fundamentals including architecture Git-based workflows code reviews CI/CD automated testing release practices documentation and production support.
• Experience developing in Linux environments.
• Demonstrated ability to define requirements evaluate alternatives support stakeholder alignment and deliver software solutions in a cross-functional hardware development environment.

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER II:

• Degree in Software Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Robotics Mechatronics Aerospace Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 2-5 years of professional software engineering experience including software for robotics motion control embedded systems hardware systems or other 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 such as motors actuators encoders sensors motion controllers embedded systems machine vision or industrial networks.
• Experience with real-time or embedded software including an understanding of control loops deterministic timing and hardware bring-up.
• Solid software engineering fundamentals including architecture Git-based workflows code reviews CI/CD automated testing release practices documentation and production support.
• Experience developing in Linux environments.
• Demonstrated ability to define requirements evaluate alternatives support stakeholder alignment and deliver software solutions in a cross-functional hardware development environment.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with motion planning kinematics and 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 such as CAN/CANopen SpaceWire MIL-STD-1553 EtherCAT SPI/I2C Ethernet TCP/IP Modbus OPC UA PLCs safety controllers or other 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 other harsh environments.
• Experience working in aerospace defense space advanced manufacturing industrial robotics medical device or other high-reliability hardware environments.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical issues into clear plans risks and decisions for technical and non-technical stakeholders.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting standing walking computer work and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise dust and fumes in production areas.

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.