Senior C Python Developer Jobs in Los Angeles, CA

Based at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Senior Firmware Engineer I/II will participate in the development and test of avionics hardware for our robotics programs. You will work collaboratively with engineers of various disciplines and participate in all aspects of electrical hardware development, from requirements definition through design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production. As an engineer on the robotics development team, you will have frequent opportunities to test and operate your systems on‑orbit. We are looking for people who are passionate about robotics electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment.

End‑to‑end ownership of IP and algorithms for robotics and motor control applications. Work with an interdisciplinary team on requirements and documentation. Complete FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and testing. Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis. Debug hardware in the lab with logic analyzers and oscilloscopes. Support hardware and software development teams with verification and validation. Develop FPGA test firmware and support automated test equipment (ATE) for production. Provide subject‑matter expertise regarding debug, design, and automated test development. Perform research and analysis of data, such as customer proposed specifications, datasheets, or manuals to determine design approach and/or feasibility. (Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Firmware Engineer I or Senior Firmware Engineer II levels)

These qualifications apply to Senior Firmware Engineer I and II respectively.

• Senior Firmware Engineer I:
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering or equivalent discipline with 5+ years of experience
  • 5+ years of experience in FPGA firmware design with Verilog, specifically creating IP from scratch
  • Able to develop "blank sheet of paper" design concepts
  • Experience in motor control applications
  • Experience in analog signal chains including an FPGA
  • Experience in digital signal processing
  • Proficiency in FPGA verification and validation
  • Experience with software interfaces
  • Interrupts and DMA
  • Familiarity with AXI Memory Mapped interfaces
• Senior Firmware Engineer II:
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering or equivalent discipline with 8+ years of experience
  • 5+ years of experience in FPGA firmware design with Verilog, specifically creating IP from scratch
  • Able to develop "blank sheet of paper" design concepts
  • Experience in motor control applications
  • Experience in analog signal chains including an FPGA
  • Experience in digital signal processing
  • Proficiency in FPGA verification and validation
  • Experience with software interfaces
  • Interrupts and DMA
  • Familiarity with AXI Memory Mapped interfaces

• Experience implementing real‑time control, signal processing, data acquisition, machine vision, or sensor‑interface algorithms in FPGA fabric
• Experience with Field‑Oriented‑Control
• Experience with FPGAs and embedded systems in a radiation environment including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation
• Experience with board bring‑up and debug utilizing logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.
• Experience in FPGA with single precision floating point math
• PCB design and schematic capture and layout with tools such as Altium Designer
• Experience with Librero
• Experience with modeling systems such as Simulink
• Familiarity with C, Python or MATLAB and/or experience translating algorithms from a scripted language to HDL

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO and 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. Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status.

Base Pay Range (CA Only) $143,300 – $238,700 USD.

For candidates seeking to work in US offices only: 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, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations. Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment 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. The 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.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices only: 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. Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.