Senior Quality Engineer II (Software)

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services complete spacecraft design and manufacturing payloads satellite components and more all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally supporting scientific exploration Earth observation and missions to combat climate change national security and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rockethas become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit all while we work to develop Neutron our upcoming medium-lift reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites payloads and their components including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab were not just launching rockets were building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space like solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems radios and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft payloads and components for missions to the Moon and Mars working with partners including NASA the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force. Whether its a single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR QUALITY ENGINEER II (SOFTWARE)

Rocket Labs Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space terrestrial and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Quality Engineer II (Software)based at our Optical Systems site in Chantilly VA you will provide quality and mission assurance support for mission-critical software used in space payloads ground systems and integrated hardware/software products. This role focuses on software quality across the full lifecycle ensuring requirements are defined risks are identified verification is rigorous and releases are controlled in a regulated non-recoverable space environment. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects delivering on the impossible and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Serve as the Quality Engineering representative for software development activities supporting space payloads ground systems and hardware-integrated products
• Support end-to-end software lifecycle quality across requirements design development integration verification release and sustainment
• Review and assess software requirements for clarity testability traceability and alignment with system and customer requirements
• Participate in and provide quality input to software design reviews test readiness reviews and acceptance reviews
• Review and approve software quality artifacts including design documentation test plans test procedures test results and release records
• Support software verification and validation activities ensuring adequate coverage risk mitigation and objective evidence
• Support integration environmental and system-level test campaigns including on-site participation as required to support mission assurance and anomaly resolution
• Identify document and support resolution of software nonconformances defects and escapes including root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Ensure software-related quality mission assurance and regulatory requirements are properly flowed down from customer contracts and internal standards into implementation
• Support supplier and subcontractor software quality oversight including review of deliverables audits and quality flow-down requirements
• Support software configuration management and release control including baseline integrity change control and regression awareness
• Develop maintain and analyze Power BI dashboards to monitor software quality metrics such as defect trends escape rates test status and corrective action closure
• Support and leverage Power Apps and SharePoint-based tools to standardize and automate software quality workflows reviews approvals and data collection
• Support internal external customer and regulatory audits related to software quality (e.g. AS9100 customer audits)
• Promote a risk-aware quality-first culture across software and integrated product teams
• Travel as required to support test campaigns supplier oversight audits and key program milestones
• Tasks as identify critical for the mission

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
• Bachelors degree in Engineering Computer Science Software Engineering Quality or a related technical discipline
• 8 years of experience performing Software Quality Engineering or quality oversight for mission-critical or safety-critical systems

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Masters degree in Engineering Computer Science Quality or Business Management
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or equivalent certification
• Experience supporting spaceflight software payload control software or mission ground systems
• Familiarity with Agile Waterfall or V-Model development in regulated environments
• Experience with software configuration management vision control and release governance
• Familiarity with ITAR/export compliance requirements
• Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) certification

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit use hands and fingers operate computer keyboard and controls and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust fumes and moderate levels of noise

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click hereITAR Regulations.