Senior Ground Software Engineer II 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, and expanding humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The Role

As Senior Ground Software Engineer II based in Long Beach, CA, you will serve as a technical authority for spacecraft ground software. You will define and evolve the end-to-end architecture of ground systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and mission success for both internal teams and external customers.

What You'll Own

• Major parts of architecture and evolution of Rocket Lab's web-based ground software platforms for spacecraft operations
• Partnership with flight software developers, mission operations personnel, and systems engineers to translate mission needs into scalable ground system designs
• Deployment, configuration, and optimization of the Rocket Lab Ground Data System for diverse mission profiles
• Robust monitoring, alerting, and reliability frameworks to proactively detect and mitigate issues
• Technical direction and architectural guidance to ensure mission resilience, system integration, and long-term maintainability
• Strategic advice to leadership on ground software strategy, risk areas, and emerging technologies

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
• 8+ 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 and mission operations
• Python web frameworks (FastAPI or equivalent)
• Deep knowledge of microservice architectures and distributed systems
• Leadership in end-to-end system design and delivery with engineering teams
• Clear, well-structured, and well-documented software designs
• Database architecture, schema design, and optimization
• Git-based workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and Kubernetes orchestration
• Modern authentication and authorization frameworks (OAuth, etc.)
• CCSDS standards, including Space Packet Protocol, COP-1, and CFD

Compensation

• Base Salary: $150,000 - $225,000 USD
• Total Compensation (base and equity): $184,000 - $284,000 USD
• Company stock as part of total compensation package
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
• Medical plans (HMO, PPO, HDHP with HSA company contribution), dental, vision
• Paid vacation, sick time, 11 paid holidays, paid parental leave
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, employee discounts

Work Environment

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

Eligibility

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce.