Job Summary:
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services and spacecraft design. The Senior Ground Software Engineer I/II will serve as a technical authority for spacecraft ground software, defining and evolving the architecture of ground systems to ensure mission success.
Responsibilities:
• Own major parts of architecture and evolve Rocket Lab’s web-based ground software platforms for spacecraft operations.
• Partner with flight software developers, mission operations personnel, and systems engineers to translate mission needs into scalable ground system designs.
• Deploy, configure, and optimize the Rocket Lab Ground Data System for diverse mission profiles.
• Establish robust monitoring, alerting, and reliability frameworks to proactively detect and mitigate issues.
• Provide technical direction and architectural guidance to ensure mission resilience, system integration, and long-term maintainability.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on ground software strategy, risk areas, and emerging technologies.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
• 5+ years of relevant work experience in professional software development
• Proven track record architecting web-based software systems at scale
• Strong systems-level thinking, with ability to balance technical trade-offs across performance, security, and maintainability
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
• 8+ years of relevant work experience in professional software development
• Proven track record architecting web-based software systems at scale
• Strong systems-level thinking, with ability to balance technical trade-offs across performance, security, and maintainability
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one
Preferred:
• Active TS clearance
• Full-stack development experience, including:
• Backend – Python, Golang, and/or Rust
• Frontend – Typescript and Angular
• Database – InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or equivalent
• Experience with end-to-end testing frameworks like Playwright
• Aerospace background supporting satellite, spacecraft, constellation, or launch vehicle ground/mission operations
• Experience designing with Python web frameworks (FastAPI or equivalent)
• Deep knowledge of microservice architectures and distributed systems
• Demonstrated leadership in end-to-end system design and delivery with engineering teams
• Ability to produce clear, well-structured, and well-documented software designs
• Familiarity with database architecture, schema design, and optimization
• Expertise in Git-based workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and Kubernetes orchestration
• Understanding of modern authentication/authorization frameworks (OAuth, etc.)
• Knowledge of CCSDS standards, including Space Packet Protocol, COP-1, and CFD
Company:
Rocket Lab is an aerospace company that provides launch services, spacecraft design, and manufacturing of satellite components. Founded in 2006, the company is headquartered in Long Beach, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.