Senior Ground Software Engineer I Verified today
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 humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The Role
As a Senior Ground Software Engineer I based in Long Beach, CA, you will serve as a technical authority for spacecraft ground software across Rocket Lab's Space Systems missions. You will help define and evolve the end-to-end architecture of ground systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and mission success for both internal teams and external customers. This role is highly visible, with deliverables that support internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors.
What You'll Do
- Own major parts of 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 robust 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
- Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on ground software strategy, risk areas, and emerging technologies
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
- 5+ years of relevant work experience in professional software development
- Proven track record architecting web-based software systems at scale
- Strong systems-level thinking, with ability to balance technical trade-offs across performance, security, and maintainability
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
- Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one
Nice to Have
- Active TS clearance
- Full-stack development experience: Python, Golang, Rust (backend); Typescript and Angular (frontend); InfluxDB, PostgreSQL (database)
- Experience with end-to-end testing frameworks like Playwright
- Aerospace background supporting satellite, spacecraft, constellation, or launch vehicle ground/mission operations
- Experience designing with Python web frameworks (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/authorization frameworks (OAuth, etc.)
- Knowledge of CCSDS standards, including Space Packet Protocol, COP-1, and CFD
Compensation
- Base Salary: $130,000 to $198,000 USD
- Total Compensation (base and equity): $152,000 to $233,000 USD
- Company stock as part of total compensation package
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
- Medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero cost HDHP with HSA company 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, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages
Working Conditions
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.