Flight Software Engineer I Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, and enable exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The Team
Our Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
You will play a key role in supporting the development of flight software for our Space Systems programs. You'll participate in all aspects of software design and development, from requirements definition through coding and testing. Your software will be on orbit within weeks and months. With access to Rocket Lab's own rockets and launch sites, you'll have frequent opportunities to test and operate your software on orbit.
What You'll Do
- Develop application software to run within a Real Time Operating System (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux
- Develop hardware drivers to interface to Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels and other spacecraft sensors and actuators
- Develop and maintain comprehensive unit tests to run within a Continuous Integration framework
- Collaborate with hardware-in-the-loop test engineers to verify and validate combined software and hardware functionality
- Collaborate with systems engineers and embedded systems engineers in developing, documenting and validating requirements
- Participate in review of source code changes and ensure all changes meet company coding standards
- Participate in design reviews such as a PDR and CDR
- Assist with on-orbit and interplanetary flight operations
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent technical degree
- Experience in embedded software development
- Proficiency in C and C++ languages
- Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or embedded Linux
- U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- Active Secret or TS/SCI security clearance
- Experience with Rust language
- Advanced Degree
- Experience developing software and drivers with CAN/CAN-FD and/or UDP/TCP within an embedded system
- Experience developing software for autonomous vehicles operating in harsh environments, such as satellites
Compensation
Base salary range (Colorado): $85,000 to $100,000 USD. Final compensation based on individual qualifications and experience.
Benefits include company stock or cash incentives, Employee Stock Purchase Program, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, paid parental leave, and other discounts and perks.