Team Lead - Data Engineering

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Team Lead - Data Engineering to guide the data tools, systems, and platforms that support launch vehicles, spacecraft, simulations, and ground systems.

You will lead a high-performing team of software engineers, oversee end-to-end development of data infrastructure, and ensure reliable, well-documented software that empowers engineers and operators.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar.
• 8+ years' experience in software engineering.
• Proven team leadership or mentoring experience (essential).
• Experience with data platform architecture and data management.
• Experience with REST APIs, databases, Git, and modern software workflows.
• Familiarity with Spark, Pandas/Numpy, ETL processes, or similar tools.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical vision for the data platform at scale.
• Lead end-to-end software development across data infrastructure.
• Guide architecture, code quality, and agile practices across the team.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, operations and mission teams.
• Ensure reliable, well-tested software and smooth deployments.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

REST APIs

Git

Job description

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.

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.

Rocket Lab is searching for a Team Lead - Data Engineering to take charge of the data tools, systems, and platforms that enable our launch vehicles, spacecraft, simulations, and ground systems. If you love solving complex engineering problems, building high-reliability software, and leading talented developers this is your next mission.

Our software underpins everything: test and production systems, launch operations, research and development, automation, internal tools, and more. You'll guide a team that shapes how engineers and operators access the information and functionality they need to build and launch world-class space systems.

What You'll Lead

• A high-performing team of software engineers
• End-to-end software development across infrastructure, storage, ingestion, and presentation of operational and engineering data
• Design, development, testing, and documentation of software used across launch operations, integrated systems testing, simulations, and ground systems
• Architecture, code quality, coding standards, and agile engineering practices
• Cross-functional collaboration with engineering, operations, and mission teams
• Continuous improvement, technical excellence, and a strong culture of ownership

What You'll Deliver

• Technical vision for the petabyte-scale operational data platform supporting the entire company
• In depth technical contributions supporting engineering, operations, and mission readiness
• Reliable, well-tested, well-documented software
• Smooth deployment, support, and user training
• Clear communication, prioritisation, and stakeholder alignment
• Strategic improvements to software capability and data handling across the business

What You'll Bring

• Tertiary qualification in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar
• 8+ years' experience in software engineering
• Proven team leadership or mentoring experience (essential)
• Experience with data platform architecture and data management
• Experience with REST APIs, databases, Git, and modern software workflows
• Familiarity with Spark, Pandas/Numpy, ETL processes, or similar tools
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a collaborative, positive mindset

Nice-to-Have Extras

• Data visualisation or analytics experience
• C#, Golang, or TypeScript

If you're driven by complex challenges, team leadership, and building software that directly supports rockets, spacecraft, and mission operations we want to meet you.

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.