Principal Software Engineer

Responsibilities

• Lead software architecture design for flight and ground systems
• Develop flight software for spacecraft using RTOS (VxWorks) or embedded Linux
• Architect and deploy web-based ground software platforms
• Develop unit tests within a CI framework and collaborate on hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to engineering teams
• Support on-orbit operations and ensure software performance in harsh environments

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline
• 12+ years of professional software development experience (Principal) or 15+ years (Senior Principal)
• Expertise in embedded systems and ground software
• Proficiency in C, C++, and Python
• Experience with DIO and AIO (Digital and Analog Inputs and Outputs)
• Experience integrating hardware and implementing ICDs
• Experience deriving flight software architecture from electrical designs/schematics
• Experience with RF ground-to-space communication
• U.S. citizenship required
• Active TS/SCI clearance required

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in aerospace engineering or computer science
• Experience with CAN/CAN-FD, SpaceWire, or UDP/TCP protocols
• Expertise in microservices, distributed systems, and FastAPI
• Full-stack experience with Golang, Rust, TypeScript, Angular, InfluxDB, or PostgreSQL
• Familiarity with CCSDS standards (Space Packet Protocol, COP-1, CFD)
• Experience with Git-based workflows, CI/CD, and Kubernetes

About the Company

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more.