Team Lead - Flight Software - Electron

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Electron Flight Software team sits within our GNC department. The team's software operates launch vehicle and spacecraft avionics during launch and on orbit, collects and distributes telemetry and commands, and hosts our guidance, navigation, and control software and algorithms. It's all developed in house, so the people who write it also see it fly.

As Team Lead - Electron Flight Software, you'll lead a team of five engineers who create, maintain, and support software for the Electron launch vehicle, the Photon spacecraft, and the associated ground communication systems. You'll report to the Director of Electron Engineering and be based at our Auckland Production Complex. This is a hands on leadership role. You'll set the long-term direction for Electron flight software, develop your team, and make decisions that prioritise the reliability and efficiency of the vehicle, while still writing and reviewing code yourself.

YOU'LL GET TO:

OWN & SHIP

Set and manage the long-term objectives for Electron flight software, and be accountable for delivering high-quality flight software on time

Lead software development for launch vehicle and spacecraft avionics embedded computers, ground segment communications, and avionics simulations, including hardware-in-the-loop

Approve software requirements, architecture designs, and definition of ready for backlog items

Write code and unit tests, review merge requests, and document how the team's software products operate

SOLVE & FIX

Continually reduce software-related risk to the vehicle and the business, making risk/reward trade-off calls with input from quality, senior engineering, and production

Run trade studies and work through complex technical problems where the standard approach won't work

Identify risks early and change course when needed to keep development on track

LEAD & SCALE

Lead a team of five flight software engineers and run stand-ups, architecture meetings, and stakeholder meetings that stay focused and useful

Recruit and retain talent within the team

Keep the wider business informed on status and blockers, and work across teams to clear them

Put forward plans for new ways of working, new equipment, and improved processes

GROW & DELIVER

Develop your direct reports through regular 1:1s, performance reviews, goal setting, and ongoing two-way feedback

Create and approve training packages, deliver training on software products, and coach engineers on the job

Act as deputy for the Director when required, with minimal supervision

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree or higher in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering, or a demonstrated equivalent level of knowledge

5+ years of experience in a software engineering related discipline

Leadership experience in a software team with critical deliverables

Strong C/C++ development skills

Embedded software development experience

Linux application development experience

Networked application development experience

Experience with Git and Jira, or another issue tracker

Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain technical topics to people with less experience in the field

BONUS POINTS FOR:

Linux kernel development

Experience with Scrum methodologies

FPGA development

Python

EXPECTATIONS

Ownership mentality with the ability to drive tasks and projects to completion independently

Thrive in ambiguous, fast-changing environments where requirements evolve rapidly

Balance speed with quality, moving quickly while maintaining appropriate rigour

No task is beneath you. Roll up your sleeves and do what's needed for mission success

Bias for action. Get hands on with code, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and flight data to get results early

Domestic and international travel may be required

WHAT NEXT

Lead the team that writes the software Electron flies on. Apply now.

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:

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 (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. Learn more about ITAR here .

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. 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.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [email protected]. 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. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.