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Auckland, NZ On-site Full-time

Rocket Lab is hiring a Senior Flight Software Engineer

About the Role

Architect and develop flight software solutions across multiple domains including current mission support, next-generation autonomous satellite constellations, and embedded systems for spacecraft components, while guiding teams and defining best practices.

Responsibilities

  • Design flight software architectures across three key areas: ongoing mission support, advanced autonomous satellite constellations, and embedded software for spacecraft hardware such as sensors, actuators, and communication systems.
  • Lead technical trade studies and system design efforts in coordination with avionics, guidance, navigation, and operations teams, aligning innovation with project timelines and budget limits.
  • Build and sustain comprehensive regression testing systems that support both flight and embedded software lines, ensuring fast and dependable validation across multiple missions and product versions.
  • Support cross-functional teams in diagnosing and resolving technical anomalies, identifying risks, and delivering aerospace systems from initial concept through in-orbit deployment.
  • Establish software engineering standards, lead architecture discussions, approve technical designs, and clearly convey system structure to internal and external partners.
  • Coach junior engineers through code reviews, training sessions, and hands-on guidance, promoting high technical standards and professional conduct.

Nice to Have

  • Experience working with Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Skills in network programming using Sockets or WebSockets.
  • Knowledge of NodeJS/NPM build tools and workflows.
  • Background using Elasticsearch.

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

The company is a full-cycle space technology provider offering launch services, spacecraft manufacturing, payload integration, and satellite components to expand access to space. Its rockets and satellites support global missions in scientific research, Earth monitoring, climate change mitigation, national security, and technology innovation. The Electron launch vehicle is one of the most frequently launched U.S. rockets and has deployed over 230 satellites, while development continues on Neutron, a reusable medium-lift rocket for large constellation missions. The Space Systems division produces satellites and components used in NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as parts integrated into the James Webb Space Telescope. The organization emphasizes execution over discussion, delivering real-world space solutions at scale.

ABOUT SPACE SYSTEMS AT ROCKET LAB

The Space Systems team designs, builds, and integrates complete satellites and individual components for missions across commercial, government, and defense sectors. This includes end-to-end spacecraft development as well as subsystems such as solar arrays, flight software, reaction wheels, star trackers, separation systems, and radios. The team consists of engineers, technicians, and designers who create both full satellite platforms and discrete hardware and software elements that support a wide range of space missions.

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
About company
Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering reliable launch services, spacecraft, satellite components, and on-orbit management.

As a global leader in launch and space systems, we are transforming the way we access and use space. Our capabilities span the space economy, including satellite design and manufacture, space software and components, and reliable launch services.

We started with small launch, pioneering an industry-defining launch vehicle, Electron, now the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket. But we haven’t stopped at small satellite launch. Right now, we’re developing the next generation large launch vehicle, Neutron, to launch the constellations and large spacecraft missions of the future that will provide vital data and services to Earth.

Rocket Lab is a premier supplier of flight-proven satellites, subsystems and spacecraft components. The company’s extensive line of small and medium class spacecraft platforms support a wide range of mission profiles for the commercial, civil and defense markets. At a component level, Rocket Lab spacecraft technology spans space solar power, advanced composite structures, flight software, star trackers, reaction wheels, separation systems, and radios.

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Job Details
Department Space Systems Software
Category Embedded
Posted 13 days ago