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Senior Ground Software Engineer I - TS/SCI

1/27/2026

Develop cutting-edge spacecraft ground software for various Space Systems missions and provide ground system development and support for internal and external customers. Collaborate with flight software developers, operations personnel, and systems engineers to understand requirements and functional needs.

Salary

131000 - 164000 USD

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

1,001-5,000 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

About The Company

Rocket Lab builds, launches, and operates rockets and spacecraft for our global customers. Our Electron launch vehicle is the world’s most frequently launched orbital small rocket, our HASTE rocket is progressing America’s hypersonic capabilities on suborbital missions, and our larger Neutron rocket is currently in development. From across the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures individual spacecraft components to entire satellites constellations for missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.

About the Role

<div class="content-intro">ABOUT ROCKET LAB 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 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.   Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all 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.  <div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;"><iframe style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1028198769?h=22add6027e&badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479" width="" height=""></iframe></div></div>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. Whether it’s 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 I As a Senior Ground Software Engineer I based at Rocket Lab’s site in Littleton, CO, 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 YOU’LL GET TO DO: <ul> <li>Develop and evolve web-based software architecture for spacecraft operations</li> <li>Work closely with flight software developers, operations personnel, and systems engineers to understand requirements and functional needs</li> <li>Deploy and configure the Rocket Lab Ground Data System</li> <li>Establish monitoring and alerting to detect system degradation and outages</li> <li>Identify ground systems issues and provide technical insight for resolution</li> </ul> YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline</li> <li>5+ years of relevant work experience developing software</li> <li>5+ years of relevant work experience developing in Python</li> <li>Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance</li> <li>Experience architecting web-based software applications </li> </ul> THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: <ul> <li>Full-stack software development experience, including:          ○ Backend – Python and/or Golang         ○ Frontend – Typescript and/or Javascript (Angular or React)         ○ Database – InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or equivalent</li> <li>Experience with Python web experience (FastAPI or equivalent)</li> <li>Experience with micro-service architectures</li> <li>Experience leading complete system development efforts with a team</li> <li>Ability to write clear, well-tested, and well-documented software</li> <li>Experience supporting satellite, spacecraft, constellation, and/or launch vehicle mission operations</li> <li>Familiarity with database design and implementation</li> <li>Experience using Git or other version control systems</li> <li>Experience with SQL</li> <li>Experience with ticketing systems like Jira, etc.</li> <li>Experience with Kubernetes orchestration</li> <li>Experience with Oauth authentication flows</li> <li>Experience in full-stack and/or web development (NodeJS, Angular, TypeScript, or equivalent)</li> <li>Experience in the aerospace industry </li> <li>Experience in CCSDS recommended standards, including Space Packet Protocol and COP-1</li> </ul> ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: <ul> <li>Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus</li> <li>Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing</li> <li>Must be physically able to commute to buildings </li> <li>Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description">The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.  Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.  </div><div class="title">Base Pay Range (CO Only)</div><div class="pay-range">$131,000—$164,000 USD</div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion">  WHAT TO EXPECT  We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s 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 other’s 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 <a href="https://urldefense.us/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pmddtc.state.gov_-3Fid-3Dddtc-5Fkb-5Farticle-5Fpage-26sys-5Fid-3D24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987&d=DwMFog&c=N_fLK0KxmM34zjMadXHMx_SQYmXWO3FX0MRVr1hBcn4&r=prjnch9sxomG2ahCicblmM3m-FuPObepspoR1qvWq2I&m=ExC44mBPk2emo4Fr0xPSGZN0UraQ1ZtkDTxwR7iWw5rixcFQb-Wjlv7lJcecLldz&s=0lfm4LyRtFwK220WHBK11DGHWSVvVhQEcfa5G_2Nf18&e=">here</a>. 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 <a href="mailto:g.biow@rocketlabusa.com">g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.</a>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 <a class="fui-Link ___m14voj0 f3rmtva f1ern45e f1deefiw f1n71otn f1q5o8ev f1h8hb77 f1vxd6vx f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f9n3di6 f1ids18y fygtlnl f1deo86v f12x56k7 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f50u1b5 fs3pq8b f1hghxdh f1tymzes f1x7u7e9 f1cmlufx f10aw75t fsle3fq" href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/23/2020-00574/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-us-munitions-list-categories-i-ii-and-iii" target="_blank">ITAR Regulations.</a>  </div>

Key Skills

PythonWeb-Based Software DevelopmentSoftware ArchitectureMicro-Service ArchitecturesFull-Stack DevelopmentDatabase DesignGitSQLKubernetesOauth AuthenticationAerospace Industry ExperienceCCSDS StandardsFastAPITypescriptJavascriptInfluxDBPostgreSQL