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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer I - **Company:** Rocket Lab - **Location:** Pasadena, CA, United States - **Experience:** Starter - **Salary:** $123,000 - $140,000 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Board Bringup, Computer Vision, Automation of Tests, Fieldbus, C++ (Programming Language), CANopen, Configuration Management, Software Quality, Code Review, Encodings, Cyber Security, Continuous Integration, Embedded Software, Ethernet, EtherCAT, Fault Tolerance, Hardware Design, Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Python (Programming Language), Kinematics, Linux System Administration, Microsoft Dynamics, Modbus, Motion Planning, Real-Time Operating Systems, OPC Unified Architecture, Robotic Automation Software, Sensor Fusion, Software Engineering, Software Systems, TCP/IP, Digital Twin, Serial Peripheral Interface, Control Structures, Hardware Testing, Git Flow, Information Technology, Bare Metal, Front End Software Development, Software Version Control - **Published:** November 10, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/software-engineer-i-pasadena-ca--ac45b0a9-8933-4af4-816a-962f1731ddea ## About the Role Software Engineering, Manufacturing, Wheel/Front-End Loader, Software Engineering, Robotics, Electricity, Laboratory Robotics, Software Development, Control Systems, Production Support, 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., * Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or Aerospace Engineering * 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. * U.S Citizenship due to program requirements, * 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. ## Description Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Software Engineer I - 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., * 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.