Senior Ground Software Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation • Long Beach, CA

1d • $151,000 - $227,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is hiring a Senior Ground Software Engineer II to serve as a technical authority for spacecraft ground software across Space Systems missions. Based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, this role helps define and evolve end-to-end ground-system architecture to support scalability, reliability, and mission success for internal teams and external customers. The work is highly visible, with deliverables supporting internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors.

The engineer will own major areas of Rocket Lab’s web-based spacecraft-operations platforms, collaborate across flight software, mission operations, and systems engineering, and deploy and optimize the Rocket Lab Ground Data System for varied mission profiles. The role also sets reliability and monitoring practices, provides architectural direction, and advises leadership on strategy, risks, and emerging technologies.

The position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Rocket Lab offers competitive base pay and company stock. The California base pay range is $151,000–$227,000; level and pay are determined case by case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional software development experience.
• Proven track record architecting web-based software systems at scale.
• 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.
• Backend experience with Python, Golang, and/or Rust.
• Frontend experience with TypeScript and Angular.
• Database experience with InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or equivalent.
• Experience with end-to-end testing frameworks such as Playwright.
• Aerospace background 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, 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 as part of total compensation.
• 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 coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability insurance.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior