Flight Software Engineer I - Electron at Rocketlab

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 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! Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You’ll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more. Flight software provides critical support to vehicle systems during launch and on orbit, operating launch vehicle and spacecraft avionics, collecting and distributing telemetry and commands, and hosting guidance, navigation and control software and algorithms. Flight Software Engineers are responsible for creation, maintenance, and support of software components, functions or services on the Electron launch vehicle, and associated ground-based communication systems. WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO: • Develop, maintain, and support flight software for the Electron launch vehicle and associated ground-based communication systems. • Design and implement embedded software for launch vehicle and spacecraft avionics computers. • Create and execute unit tests in response to bug-fix and feature requests. • Develop and maintain documentation for the operation and deployment of software products. • Participate in and approve code reviews, ensuring adherence to coding standards and best practices. • Facilitate and contribute to software architecture meetings and approve architecture designs. • Refine and prioritize product backlog items, ensuring clear definitions of ready and done. • Lead and participate in scrum activities, including stand-ups, retrospectives, and sprint planning. • Manage and report on scrum activity metrics such as velocity and sprint retrospectives. • Conduct trade studies and approve software requirements. • Facilitate stakeholder meetings and deliver training on software products. • Deploy operational software to flight and ground systems. • Support avionics simulations, including hardware-in-the-loop testing. • Collaborate cross-functionally to support other engineering teams as required. • Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and procedures. YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or demonstrated equivalent level of knowledge. • Minimum of 2 years’ experience within a software engineering related discipline. • Proficiency in C++ (11 or above) development. • Experience with source control systems such as Git. • Ability to apply engineering and industry concepts and theories to solve technical challenges. • Strong documentation skills, including the ability to create and review technical documents. • Demonstrated ownership and accountability for assigned tasks and projects. • Effective communicator with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required. THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: • Experience with high-reliability software systems, particularly in aerospace or similar industries. • Knowledge of radio communications and related technologies (e.g., Software Defined Radio, Reed-Solomon or LDPC encoding schemes). • Familiarity with CCSDS standards, including Space Data Link (SDL). • Experience with embedded software development fundamentals. • Linux kernel development experience. • Experience with avionics simulations and hardware-in-the-loop testing. • Experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment. 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 [Upgrade to PRO to see contact] 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.