Senior Ground Software Engineer I
About The Position
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. Its Space Systems team develops spacecraft, payloads, and components supporting missions including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security and defense. Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Senior Ground Software Engineer I 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. Its work is highly visible and supports internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline.
- At least 5 years of relevant professional software development experience.
- Proven track record architecting web-based software systems at scale.
- Strong systems-level thinking and 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.
Nice To Haves
- Active TS clearance.
- 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 proactively detect and mitigate issues.
- Provide technical direction and architectural guidance to ensure mission resilience, system integration, and long-term maintainability.
- Advise leadership on ground software strategy, risk areas, and emerging technologies.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of the total compensation package.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA contribution.
- Dental and vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability and life insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Subsidized EV charging.
- Onsite fitness centers where available.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Complimentary snacks and beverages.
- 50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
- Other employee discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
