Lead, Operations Software

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Company stock in total compensation

Top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, HDHP

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

Subsidized EV charging

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted gym memberships

Snacks and beverages

50% merchandise discount

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Lead, Operations Software to architect and run software for launch vehicle and spacecraft operations. You will guide a team, balance priorities, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver robust, intuitive tools for mission success.

The role requires 5+ years in software engineering, Git/Jira proficiency, and Go/C#/C++. Base pay spans $141,800–$180,000 with stock and strong benefits in a dynamic space company.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software engineering experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• Experience with Git and issue-tracking tools like Jira.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, implementation, and maintenance of software for testing and mission operations for launch vehicles and spacecraft.
• Provide vision, leadership, and technical direction to a high-performing software team.
• Take ownership of team contributions and manage priorities and risks.
• Engage with stakeholders to define and refine requirements and deliverables.
• Develop and refine software architecture designs and backlog items.

Skills

5+ years experience

Git

Jira

Go/C#/C++

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering / CS / EE or equivalent

Tools

Git

Jira

Go

C#

C++

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 teamis responsible forhow 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-pacedenvironmentbut who also thrive under the challenge of supportingall ofour proprietary systems and people, from finance to launch operations.

LEAD, OPERATIONS SOFTWARE

Based onsite at either our Long Beach, CA or Auckland, NZ facilities, the Lead, Operations Software reports to the Manager, Operations Software and leads a team of up to 8 engineers. You will architect, develop, and support software systems that configure, command, and monitor launch vehicles (Electron, Neutron), spacecraft, and ground systems. You will collaborate with stakeholder groups across Rocket Lab to ensure the tools we develop are fit for purpose and intuitive to use.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Lead the architecture, implementation, and maintenance of software to support testing and mission operations for launch vehicles and spacecraft.
• Provide vision, leadership, technical direction, and project coordination to a high-performing software team.
• Take ownership of your team’s contributions, focusing on the right business priorities and managing technical and schedule risks.
• Actively engage with business stakeholders to define, collect, and review requirements, and manage deliverables.
• Develop and refine software architecture designs and product backlog items.
• Facilitate and participate in agile software development practices, including code reviews and the development of code review standards.
• Create documentation for developers and end-users on software products.
• Demonstrate innovation in technical fields, keeping Rocket Lab at the leading edge of technology.
• Coach and mentor team members in best practices for technical systems and project planning.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improvement within the team.
• Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed, including correct PPE usage and prompt reporting of incidents or near misses.
• Perform other duties as reasonably required.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Experience with Git.
• Experience with Jira or other issue tracking systems.
• Proficiency in a statically typed language such as Go, C#, or C++.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with network protocols (UDP / TCP / gRPC / CCSDS).
• High-performance systems and scalability.
• Experience with Linux containers, cloud application development, and Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with CI/CD systems.
• Knowledge of human factors engineering.
• Experience with Typescript development.
• Experience with Scrum or Kanban methodologies.

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.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay,you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

• our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock)
• top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution)
• dental and vision coverage
• paid vacation and sick time
• 11 paid holidays
• flexible spending and dependent care accounts
• paid parental leave
• disability and life insurance
• a 401(k) retirement plan with company match

• subsidized EV charging
• onsite fitness centers (where available)
• discounted gym memberships
• complimentary snacks and beverages
• 50% employee discount on our popular merch store
• a variety of other employee discounts

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$141,800 - $180,000 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 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 ITAR Regulations.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Rocket Lab Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.