Senior Software Engineer I​/II; TS​/SCI

Position: Senior Software Engineer I/II (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 and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Senior

Software Engineer I/II – TS/SCI Clearance

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission‑critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space‑based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro‑optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Software Engineer I/II based at our Optical Systems site in Chantilly, VA, or Tucson, AZ you will support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) using the latest High‑Performance Computing (HPC) technologies including NVIDIA CUDA to support advanced Electro‑Optical (EO/IR) technology.

Please note:

this position can be hired at the Senior Software Engineer II or Senior Software Engineer I level

What You’ll Get To Do

• Develop and maintain software for embedded platforms.
• Support board bring‑up and test of products.
• Execute debugging software in the lab.
• Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis.

Qualifications – Senior Software Engineer I

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or equivalent discipline with 5‑8 years of experience.
• Experience in embedded software engineering.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.

Qualifications – Senior Software Engineer II

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or equivalent discipline with 8‑12 years of experience.
• Experience in embedded software engineering.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.

Nice to Have Qualifications

• Experience with the NVIDIA CUDA programming model and GPU algorithm performance tuning.
• Familiarity with high‑performance, data‑parallel, multi‑core processing.
• Familiarity with numerical computing principles.
• Familiarity with performance primitives such as IPP, NPP, and Arm Performance Libraries.
• Familiarity with C/C++, Python, and MATLAB.
• Familiarity with image processing algorithms.

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.

What To Expect

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out‑think, out‑work and out‑pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small.

We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important Information

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 (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment…