Principal Software Engineer - TS/SCI

Principals

• Lead Software Architecture Design
• Develop Flight Software
• Build Ground Software Systems
• Test and Validate Systems
• Collaborate and Lead
• Support On-Orbit Operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of professional software development experience, including embedded systems and ground software.
• Proven expertise in architecting scalable and reliable software systems for aerospace or defense applications.
• Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded software development and python for testing.
• Experience with both DIO and AIO (Digital and Analog Inputs and Outputs).
• Experience with integrating hardware, including implementing ICDs, and debugging.
• Experience with deriving the Flight Software architecture from the electrical design including reading a master ICD list and/or schematics.
• Experience with RF ground to space communication.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.
• Active TS/SCI clearance is required.

• Advanced degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Strong systems-level thinking with the ability to balance technical trade-offs across performance, security, and maintainability.
• Experience developing software and drivers with CAN/CAN-FD, SpaceWire, and/or UDP/TCP protocols.
• Experience leading teams and working with program management to plan out work and staffing.
• Expertise in microservice architectures, distributed systems, and modern web frameworks such as FastAPI.
• Full-stack development experience, including:
• Backend: Golang, and/or Rust.
• Frontend: Typescript and Angular.
• Database: InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with CCSDS standards, including Space Packet Protocol, COP-1, and CFD.
• Experience designing software for autonomous vehicles operating in harsh environments, such as satellites or autonomous vehicles.
• Expertise in Git-based workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and Kubernetes orchestration.
• Understanding of modern authentication/authorization frameworks (e.g., OAuth).

What To Expect

• Hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible.
• Rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small.
• Thriving under pressure, working 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

• 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.
• 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.