Senior Ground Software Engineer I​/II

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 to 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.

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, 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.

At Rocket Lab we aren’t just launching rockets – we’re 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, such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration to in‑space manufacturing and national security initiatives.

We have 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.

Senior Ground Software Engineer I/II based at Rocket Lab’s site in Littleton, CO, will serve as a technical authority for spacecraft ground software across our Space Systems missions. They 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.

• 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.

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Please note:

this position can be hired at the Senior Ground Software Engineer I or Senior Ground Software Engineer II level)

• 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 is required, due to program 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 is required, due to program requirements.

• Full‑stack development experience, including:
  • Backend – Python, Golang, and/or Rust
  • Frontend – Typescript and Angular
  • Database – InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or equivalent
• Experience with end‑to‑end testing frameworks like…