Senior Spacecraft Ground Operations Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Auckland seeks a Senior Software Engineer to shape ground software for spacecraft missions. You will develop mission-critical systems, from command and data handling to automation and visualization, across LEO to interplanetary scopes.

You will design and build full-stack applications, manage databases and infrastructure, and support live operations. A strong background in Python, TypeScript, and agile practices is essential to drive robust, scalable solutions that

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or similar, plus minimum 5 years of professional experience.
• Full-stack development: Python async backend and TypeScript frontend with modern frameworks (Angular/React/Vue).
• Database and infrastructure knowledge: RDBMS design, SQL, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), cloud, Linux.
• Proven testing focus: unit, integration and end-to-end testing with coverage.
• Collaborative leadership: experience with Agile Scrum, leading technical meetings and mentoring junior engineers.

Responsibilities

• Develop mission-critical operations software for spacecraft command, data handling, automation, and visualization across missions.
• Build full-stack web applications: database design, backend services, front-end interfaces, and machine-to-machine communications.
• Support live spacecraft operations with on-call expertise during critical mission phases and ground-based test campaigns.
• Architect scalable software solutions that adapt to diverse and complex mission requirements.
• Lead technical initiatives: facilitate scrum, code reviews, approve architectures, mentor engineers.

Skills

Python (async)

TypeScript

Angular/React/Vue

SQL/RDBMS

Docker/Kubernetes

Linux

Testing (unit/integration/E2E)

Agile/Scrum leadership

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Software Engineering / CS / EE

Tools

Angular

React

Vue

Docker

Kubernetes

Linux

Job description

Rocket Lab Corporation in Auckland seeks a Senior Software Engineer to shape ground software for spacecraft missions. You will develop mission-critical systems, from command and data handling to automation and visualization, across LEO to interplanetary scopes.

You will design and build full-stack applications, manage databases and infrastructure, and support live operations. A strong background in Python, TypeScript, and agile practices is essential to drive robust, scalable solutions that