Senior Ground Software Engineer II Secret Clearance

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

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 GROUND SOFTWARE ENGINEER II - SECRET CLEARANCE

As a Senior Ground Software Engineer II based at Rocket Labs site in Long Beach CA you will be responsible for developing cutting-edge spacecraft ground software for our various Space Systems missions and for providing ground system development and support for internal and external customers. You will support the Space Systems organization with deliverables required for internal leadership board of directors and investors.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Develop and evolve web-based software architecture for spacecraft operations
• Work closely with flight software developers operations personnel and systems engineers to understand requirements and functional needs
• Deploy and configure the Rocket Lab Ground Data System
• Establish monitoring and alerting to detect system degradation and outages
• Identify ground systems issues and provide technical insight for resolution

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in engineering or other technical discipline
• 8 years of relevant work experience developing software in Python
• 2-5 years of experience in cloud engineering
• Experience in designing deploying and managing scalable cloud solutions
• Experience architecting web-based software applications
• Active Secret Clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Full-stack software development experience including:
  Backend Python and/or Golang
  Frontend Typescript and/or Javascript (Angular or React)
  Database InfluxDB PostgreSQL or equivalent
• Experience with Python web experience (FastAPI or equivalent)
• Experience with micro-service architectures
• Experience leading complete system development efforts with a team
• Ability to write clear well-tested and well-documented software
• Experience supporting satellite spacecraft constellation and/or launch vehicle mission operations
• Familiarity with database design and implementation
• Experience using Git or other version control systems
• Experience with SQL
• Experience with ticketing systems like Jira etc.
• Experience with Kubernetes orchestration
• Experience in full-stack and/or web development (NodeJS Angular TypeScript or equivalent)
• Experience in the aerospace industry Experience in CCSDS recommended standards including Space Packet Protocol and COP-1
• CompTIA Security (Highly recommended for foundational security knowledge)
• Experience in implementing disaster recovery plans and backup solutions in the cloud
• Ability to optimize cloud costs and manage budgets effectively

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting standing walking computer work and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise dust and fumes in production areas.

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 here ITAR Regulations.