Entry Software Engineer Jobs in Hawthorne, CA (NOW HIRING)

SPACE SYSTEMS 

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.  

 Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions. 

SOFTWARE ENGINEER I/II - ROBOTICS

Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Software Engineer I/II - Robotics will develop software for robotic platforms, motion-control systems, sensing systems, machine interfaces, test systems, and production support tools. This role is hands-on and works closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, test, quality, and operations teams to turn robotics concepts into reliable working systems.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on software engineer with strong robotics or hardware-integrated software experience, sound software engineering fundamentals, and the ability to develop reliable software in a fast-paced hardware development environment. You will support design, implementation, simulation, hardware bring-up, integration, test, deployment, troubleshooting, and production support for robotic systems.

(Please note: This position can be hired as a Software Engineer I or Software Engineer II) 

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Develop and maintain software for robotic systems, embedded interfaces, control applications, test systems, and operator-facing tools.
• Implement software for robotic platforms, motion-control systems, sensing systems, machine interfaces, production support tools, and hardware test environments.
• 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.
• Communicate software status, technical risks, trade studies, test results, and implementation plans to technical and cross-functional stakeholders.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER I:

• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 0-2 years of professional software engineering experience, including software for robotics, motion control, embedded systems, hardware systems, or other complex technical products.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Python.
• Experience with robotics frameworks such as ROS or ROS 2, including real-time variants or real-time robotics applications.
• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware such as motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, motion controllers, embedded systems, machine vision, or industrial networks.
• Experience with real-time or embedded software, including an understanding of control loops, deterministic timing, and hardware bring-up.
• Solid software engineering fundamentals, including architecture, Git-based workflows, code reviews, CI/CD, automated testing, release practices, documentation, and production support.
• Experience developing in Linux environments.
• Demonstrated ability to define requirements, evaluate alternatives, support stakeholder alignment, and deliver software solutions in a cross-functional hardware development environment.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER II:

• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 2-5 years of professional software engineering experience, including software for robotics, motion control, embedded systems, hardware systems, or other complex technical products.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Python.
• Experience with robotics frameworks such as ROS or ROS 2, including real-time variants or real-time robotics applications.
• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware such as motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, motion controllers, embedded systems, machine vision, or industrial networks.
• Experience with real-time or embedded software, including an understanding of control loops, deterministic timing, and hardware bring-up.
• Solid software engineering fundamentals, including architecture, Git-based workflows, code reviews, CI/CD, automated testing, release practices, documentation, and production support.
• Experience developing in Linux environments.
• Demonstrated ability to define requirements, evaluate alternatives, support stakeholder alignment, and deliver software solutions in a cross-functional hardware development environment.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE 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 radiation, thermal, vacuum, or other harsh environments.
• Experience working in aerospace, defense, space, advanced manufacturing, industrial robotics, medical device, or other high-reliability hardware environments.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical issues into clear plans, risks, and decisions for technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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.