Senior Ground Software Engineer I - TS/SCI
About The Role
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.
SPACE SYSTEMS
At Rocket Lab, we’re not 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, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 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.
Senior Ground Software Engineer I - TS/SCI
As a Senior Ground Software Engineer I - TS/SCI based at Rocket Lab’s 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.
- 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
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
- 5+ years of relevant work experience developing software
- 5+ years of relevant work experience developing 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 TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance
Desired Qualifications
- 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
- Able 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 with Oauth authentication flows
- 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
- Able to optimize cloud costs and manage budgets effectively