Senior Software Engineer II
Rocket Lab
Salary undisclosed
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Description
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 humanity’s 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
Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.
The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have 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. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.
SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER II
Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
As a Senior Software Engineer II for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will design flight software in support of spacecraft for Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
- Play a key role supporting the development of payload flight software for our Space Systems programs
- Focus on deployment of novel algorithms into austere environments on Size/Weight/Power constrained sensor systems
- Participate in all aspects of software design and development starting with requirements generation and following through implementation, testing, deployment
- Drive core software fundamentals of performance-oriented programming leveraging a variety of accelerator technologies
- Be part of a team of driven pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER II:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering,
- 8+ years of experience in embedded software engineering experience
- Experience in designing complex multithreaded application
- Experience designing flight software
- Ability to obtain and maintain an U.S. Government security clearance
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Familiarity with high-performance and parallel processing
- Exposure to novel architectures including FPGA, CUDA, etc.
- Familiarity with flight software system management
- Experience with algorithm implementation
- Exposure to Python and MATLAB is highly desired
- Familiarity with numerical computing principles
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
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.
About this role
At Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division in Tucson, you'd be designing flight software for advanced sensor payloads supporting the U.S. Space Development Agency's next-generation satellite architecture. The role centers on translating complex algorithms into austere, power-constrained space environments—balancing performance optimization with the severe constraints of orbital hardware. You'll own the full software lifecycle from requirements through deployment, working with novel accelerator technologies and high-performance computing approaches to solve real warfighter sensing challenges.
This position demands 8+ years of embedded software engineering with proven experience in multithreaded systems and flight software design. You should be comfortable with performance-oriented programming and capable of obtaining a U.S. Government security clearance. Background in parallel processing, FPGA or CUDA architectures, Python, MATLAB, and numerical computing principles would strengthen your candidacy significantly.
The work is in-office and full-time in Tucson. You'll need to be a U.S. citizen, green card holder, or otherwise eligible to work under ITAR regulations governing space technology. Rocket Lab describes a high-pressure environment where teams move fast on genuinely difficult problems—expect tight deadlines and the expectation that you'll focus on delivery rather than obstacles.
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