Software Engineer II - Robotics
About this role
The Space Systems team at Rocket Lab builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems that enable interplanetary exploration and national security missions. Engineers in this group develop the flight software, star trackers, optical systems, and separation components used in missions for NASA and the U.S. Space Force.
The Software Engineer II for Robotics will focus on developing software for robotic platforms, motion-control systems, sensing equipment, and production support tools at the Pasadena facility. This practitioner collaborates closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, and manufacturing teams to drive the full lifecycle of hardware-integrated software, from early concept and simulation through deployment and troubleshooting.
Ideal candidates bring solid software engineering fundamentals along with practical background in robotics or hardware-integrated systems. Professionals who thrive in fast-paced hardware development environments and enjoy bridging low-level code with physical machinery will find success in this role.
What you will do
- Develop and maintain software for robotic platforms, embedded interfaces, control applications, test systems, and operator-facing tools.
- Support software development from concept through implementation, simulation, hardware bring-up, integration, test, deployment, troubleshooting, and production support.
- Partner with mechanical, electrical, controls, systems, manufacturing, test, and quality teams to define requirements, interfaces, verification approaches, and release criteria.
- Integrate software with motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, motion controllers, embedded systems, machine vision systems, industrial networks, and robotic equipment.
- Troubleshoot issues across software, controls, electrical hardware, sensors, actuators, networks, robotic hardware, and production equipment.
- Support software quality through code reviews, version control, CI/CD, automated testing, documentation, release practices, and production support practices.
What you need
- Hold a degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, or possess equivalent experience.
- Demonstrate 2 to 5 years of professional software engineering experience covering robotics, motion control, embedded systems, or hardware systems.
- Show strong proficiency in C++ and/or Python development.
- Bring practical experience with robotics frameworks such as ROS or ROS 2, including real-time variants or applications.
- Possess hands-on experience integrating software with physical hardware like motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, and motion controllers.
- Maintain solid software engineering fundamentals including architecture, Git-based workflows, automated testing, CI/CD, and Linux environment proficiency.
Nice to have
- Experience with motion planning, kinematics and dynamics, trajectory generation, controls software, robot calibration, perception systems, state estimation, or sensor fusion.
- Experience with real-time operating systems, bare-metal embedded development, hard real-time control, or safety-critical software.
- Experience with spacecraft, embedded, or industrial communication interfaces such as CAN/CANopen, SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, EtherCAT, SPI/I2C, Ethernet, TCP/IP, Modbus, OPC UA, PLCs, safety controllers, or other fieldbus protocols.
- Experience with simulation, digital twins, hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, flatsat, testbed environments, automated test equipment, or production test systems.
- Experience designing for fault tolerance, redundancy, cybersecurity, configuration control, or operation in harsh environments.
Benefits
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock
- Top-tier medical plans including HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution
- Dental and vision coverage
- Paid vacation, sick time, and 11 paid holidays
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, and complimentary snacks
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
Where is this role located?
This position is based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA.
What is the compensation package for this role?
The base salary ranges from $108,000 to $135,000 USD, with a total compensation range including equity between $118,000 and $152,600 USD. Anticipated annual equity grants depend on function, level, experience, and other factors.
What physical requirements are associated with this position?
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.
The application is on the official Rocket Lab Corporation careers page.
Apply on company site