Principal Software Engineer /Senior Principal Software Engineer - TS/SCI

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 to 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, climate‑change mitigation, national security, and new technology demonstrations. Space Systems Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab, from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite such as solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels, star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team consists of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and assemble satellites for commercial, government, and defense sectors, or build compatible hardware and software for other missions. Principal Software Engineer / Senior Principal Software Engineer – TS/SCI Based out of our headquarters in Long Beach, CA, we are seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to serve as the Chief Software Engineer for a major constellation program. In this pivotal role you will lead the design, development, and delivery of scalable, reliable, and mission‑critical software systems for space‑based applications.

What you’ll get to do Lead Software Architecture Design: Define and evolve the end‑to‑end software architecture for flight and ground systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, security, and mission success. Develop Flight Software: Design application software for spacecraft operating within real‑time operating systems such as VxWorks or embedded Linux, including hardware drivers for sensors and actuators such as IMUs, star trackers, and reaction wheels. Build Ground Software Systems: Architect and deploy web‑based ground software platforms for spacecraft operations, integrating flight and ground systems to support diverse mission profiles.

Test and Validate Systems: Develop unit tests within a continuous‑integration framework and collaborate with hardware‑in‑the‑loop test engineers to verify combined software and hardware functionality. Collaborate and Lead: Provide technical direction and mentorship to engineering teams, act as a trusted advisor to leadership, and partner with stakeholders to align software systems with mission requirements. Support On‑Orbit Operations: Ensure software performance in harsh environments and contribute to mission‑critical operations.

Qualifications you’ll bring as Principal Software Engineer 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.

Qualifications you’ll bring as Senior Principal Software Engineer Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline. 15+ years of professional software development experience, including embedded 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.

These qualifications would be nice to have 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 micro‑service 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).

Additional Requirements Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing. Must be physically able to commute to buildings.

Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise. Base Pay (CA Only) $180,000 — $255,000 USD Benefits Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent‑care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Other perks include discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr