Senior Flight Software Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.  

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

ABOUT SPACE SYSTEMS AT ROCKET LAB:

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions. 

SENIOR FLIGHT SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Join Rocket Lab's Space Systems Software team as a Senior Flight Software Engineer, where you'll serve as a technical expert developing cutting-edge flight software for spacecraft on orbit, next-generation autonomous satellite constellations, and embedded systems for our hardware product lines including Gauss thrusters, reaction wheels, and Frontier radios.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Architect flight software solutions across three domains: sustaining engineering for current missions on orbit, next-generation FSW for autonomous satellite constellations (including C&DH, GNC/ACS, FDIR, mode management, and autonomy), and embedded software for hardware products like thrusters, reaction wheels, radios, star trackers, and IMUs
• Lead system trade studies and design solutions in collaboration with Avionics Hardware, GNC, and Operations teams, balancing technical excellence with schedule and budget constraints across a diverse portfolio
• Develop and maintain robust regression testing frameworks that span flight software and embedded software product lines, enabling rapid, reliable verification across missions and component releases
• Guide multi-disciplinary engineering teams through anomaly resolution, technical risk identification and mitigation, and delivery of complex aerospace systems from concept through on-orbit operation
• Define technical standards and best practices for the team, facilitate architecture meetings, approve designs, and communicate FSW architecture clearly to internal and external stakeholders
• Mentor junior engineers through code reviews, training delivery, and on-the-job coaching while role-modeling professional behavior and technical excellence

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar, with minimum 5 years of professional experience in a relevant discipline
• Deep technical expertise in C/C++, avionics software, embedded systems development on resource-constrained hardware, and ideally direct experience with aerospace system development, integration, and on-orbit operations
• Strong software development skills including REST APIs, Linux development environments, TypeScript/JavaScript, NodeJS, Angular or similar frontend frameworks (React, Vue), Git, and Python
• Excellent problem-solving and communication abilities, with proven capacity to manage complex projects, adjust to evolving requirements, clearly articulate technical concepts, and inspire teams to deliver
• Cross-functional collaboration mindset with awareness of spacecraft disciplines such as propulsion, thermal, power, structures, GNC, and mechanisms, and ability to work effectively across diverse teams
• Ownership mentality and positive attitude, willing to tackle any problem, see challenges as motivation, maintain professionalism under pressure, and consistently demonstrate a "how can I help?" approach 

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with Docker/Kubernetes
• Network programming expertise (Sockets/WebSockets)
• Familiarity with NodeJS/NPM build systems and tooling
• Elasticsearch experience

If the above sounds like you apply now!

WHAT TO EXPECT 

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s 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 other’s 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.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.