IT Network Engineer II - Launch

Rocket Lab Corporation; Wallops Island (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Wallops, VA is seeking an IT Network Engineer II for the Launch facility. You will provide day-to-day IT support and deep technical expertise to Rocket Lab engineers while contributing to infrastructure implementations across the organization.

Join a team delivering reliable IT systems, supporting mission operations, and maintaining high availability in a fast-paced space environment. Eligible candidates will have 2+ years in networking with a Bachelor's degree and US citizenship.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in a network-focused role with a Bachelor's degree or equivalentful experience.
• Hands-on deployment of networking hardware (routers, switches, firewalls).
• Understanding of networking concepts including security, architecture, and standards.
• Experience with Fortinet Firewalls and Juniper/Cisco switches or equivalent enterprise networks.
• Experience with monitoring tools and packet capture practices; Linux/Windows admin.
• US citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Resolve complex issues across network infrastructure, systems, and integrations.
• Deliver guidance to ensure performance and availability of critical IT systems.
• Drive upgrades and maintenance with reliability and security focus.
• Implement IT infrastructure standards for deployment across Space Systems environments.
• Participate in 24/7/365 on-call rotation for Launch Mission Operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, deploy, and optimize infrastructure.

Skills

Network experience

Networking hardware deployment

Networking concepts

Fortinet/Juniper/Cisco

Linux/Windows admin

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Puppet

Ansible

Prometheus

Grafana

InfluxDB

AWS

Azure

Job description

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

IT

Rocket Lab’s IT team is responsible for how our global teams access information and run operations across our computer systems, networks, and devices. Our hardworking IT team is a group of flexible problem-solvers working in a fast-paced environment but who also thrive under the challenge of supporting all of our proprietary systems and people, from finance to launch operations.

IT NETWORK ENGINEER II – LAUNCH

Located onsite at our Wallops, VA East Coast Launch Facility, the IT Network Engineer II will deliver day-to-day IT support and advanced technical expertise to Rocket Lab engineers while contributing to infrastructure implementations and projects across the organization. Join our IT team in maintaining the global IT infrastructure that empowers mission success through highly reliable and available systems.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Resolve complex technical issues across network infrastructure, systems, and integrations requiring escalated troubleshooting and analysis
• Deliver subject matter expertise and technical guidance to ensure optimal performance and availability of critical IT systems
• Drive upgrade and maintenance initiatives with a focus on continuous improvement, reliability, and security
• Implement and champion IT infrastructure standards for deployment and management across Space Systems environments
• Participate in an on‑call rotation supporting 24/7/365 Launch Mission Operations
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to design, deploy, and optimize infrastructure solutions that meet organizational needs
• Implement and champion IT infrastructure standards for the deployment and management of Launch environments to ensure:
  • Compliance with Rocket Lab Policies
  • Compliance with cybersecurity policies, standards, and procedures
  • Simplified and consistent environment management practises
  • Automated build and maintenance processes
  • Improvements to increase reliability of systems
  • System High Availability and Disaster Recovery
  • Clear and concise reporting on usage, uptime, support levels, etc.
  • Comprehensive documentation of environments and support
  • Efficient cost control
• Work with a team of world class IT, engineering, and business professionals.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2+ years of experience in a network focused technology role and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience (6+ Years of work experience)
• Hands‑on experience with the deployment of networking hardware (routers, switches, firewalls, etc..)
• Understanding of networking concepts including network security, network architecture design, technical standards and deliverables, troubleshooting tools
• In‑depth knowledge of at least one of:
  • Fortinet Firewalls and Juniper/Cisco Switches
  • Enterprise Network architecture or administration
  • Multicasting and Switching (VLAN) overlays
  • Network Monitoring tools and Packet capture practices
  • Linux/Windows system administration
• US citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Specialist qualifications in area of expertise: Linux, CCNA, AWS, Microsoft, Azure, etc.
• Experience with mass deployment of devices or IaC
• Experience with Puppet, Ansible, or other automation frameworks
• Experience with Python, Shell, Bash, and/or other languages
• Experience with Promethius, Grafana, InfluxDB
• Advanced problem solving and analytical skills – able to see the big picture, make connections and appropriate decisions.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state of Virginia’s pay transparency requirements. 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.

• medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan options
• paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
• paid parental leave
• other discounts and perks

Base Pay Range (VA Only)

$75,200 - $94,000 USD

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.

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 here .

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 [e-mail]. 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 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 ITAR Regulations.