Ground Software Engineer II
About The Position
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. Its Space Systems team develops complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and components and subsystems for space missions. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security and defense initiatives. The Ground Software Engineer II is based at Rocket Lab’s Littleton, Colorado site and serves as a technical authority for spacecraft ground software across Space Systems missions. The role helps define and evolve end-to-end ground system architecture, with a focus on scalability, reliability, and mission success for internal teams and external customers. Deliverables may support internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline.
- At least 2 years of relevant professional software development experience.
- Experience architecting web-based software systems at scale.
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
- Active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
- The position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Nice To Haves
- Active TS clearance.
- Strong systems-level thinking and ability to balance technical trade-offs across performance, security, and maintainability.
- Full-stack development experience with backend technologies such as Python, Golang, and/or Rust; frontend technologies such as TypeScript and Angular; and databases such as InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or equivalent.
- Experience with end-to-end testing frameworks such as Playwright.
- Aerospace experience supporting satellite, spacecraft, constellation, or launch vehicle ground or mission operations.
- Experience designing with Python web frameworks such as 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 and authorization frameworks such as OAuth.
- Knowledge of CCSDS standards, including Space Packet Protocol, COP-1, and CFD.
Responsibilities
- Own major parts of the 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 monitoring, alerting, and reliability frameworks to detect and mitigate issues proactively.
- Provide technical direction and architectural guidance to support mission resilience, system integration, and long-term maintainability.
- Advise leadership on ground software strategy, risk areas, and emerging technologies.
Benefits
- Company stock or cash incentives may be available.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with discounted stock.
- Medical insurance coverage.
- Dental insurance coverage.
- Vision insurance coverage.
- 401(k) retirement plan options.
- Paid vacation.
- Paid holidays.
- Paid sick leave.
- Paid parental leave.
- Other discounts and perks.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
