Senior Ground Software Engineer II

Rocket Lab • Long Beach, CA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

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

The engineer will own major architectural areas and evolve web-based ground software platforms for spacecraft operations. The role works closely with flight software developers, mission operations personnel, and systems engineers to translate mission needs into scalable ground-system designs. It also includes deploying, configuring, and optimizing the Rocket Lab Ground Data System for diverse mission profiles; building monitoring, alerting, and reliability frameworks; and providing technical direction on mission resilience, system integration, and maintainability. The engineer will advise leadership on ground-software strategy, risks, and emerging technologies.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline, at least eight years of relevant professional software-development experience, and a demonstrated history of architecting web-based systems at scale. U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements, along with an active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one. The position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Rocket Lab offers competitive base pay and company stock as part of total compensation. The stated California base pay range is $151,000–$227,000 USD; level and pay depend 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.
• Strong systems-level thinking and ability to balance 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, including backend development with Python, Golang, and/or Rust; frontend development with TypeScript and Angular; and databases such as 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 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 for 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