Senior IT Systems Engineer I

Telemetry Today LLC; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Competitive medical plans (HMO/PPO)

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

Stock-based compensation

Onsite fitness centers

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior IT Systems Engineer I to be based on-site at our Long Beach, CA headquarters. You will manage the Windows/Linux environment, VMware, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms, driving upgrades, automation, and secure infrastructure across the enterprise.

You will work with IT, engineering, and business teams to deliver reliable systems and packaging automation. The role requires 5+ years of IT experience, a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and US citizenship.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in IT systems engineering or equivalent.
• In-depth knowledge of Windows Server Admin: AD, DNS/DHCP, PKI.
• Experience with AWS and/or Azure enterprise environments.
• Experience with Kubernetes, VMware, Linux, and configuration management.
• Familiarity with server/hardware, backups, NetApp, Pure Storage, hyperconverged infra, VOIP.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide SME guidance to deliver and support IT systems and cloud infrastructure.
• Perform upgrades and maintenance with a focus on reliability and security.
• Lead planning and deployment of infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with IT, engineering and business teams.
• Create and sustain automated software delivery and OS deployment processes.
• Maintain operations during upgrades or migrations and implement changes.
• Troubleshoot software/hardware issues aligned with project tasks.
• Conduct risk mitigation and change/configuration management activities.
• Create, test, and distribute OS images, packages, scripts for packaging and configuration management.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Skills

Cloud infrastructure

Automation

Configuration management

Infrastructure as Code

IT project leadership

Security & compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

VMware

Kubernetes

Linux

Windows Server

Active Directory

DNS/DHCP

AWS

Azure

SCCM

NetApp/Pure Storage

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.

SENIOR IT SYSTEMS ENGINEER I

Based onsite at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior IT Systems Engineer will join a fast-paced, team-oriented manufacturing environment. This role will be responsible for the implementation, administration, and operation of the different platform and operating system environments that are in use at Rocket Lab. These platforms and operating systems include VMware, Kubernetes, Linux, and Windows Server and Client.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Provides subject matter expertise, advice, and guidance to deliver and support IT systems through efficient management of the cloud infrastructure and the delivery of projects.
• Carry out upgrades, maintenance, and with a focus on continuous improvement to provide a reliable and secure infrastructure.
• Lead project planning and deployment for infrastructure projects.
• Work with a team of world class IT, engineering, and business professionals.
• Create and sustain automated processes for software delivery/packaging, operating system deployment, and configuration management to distribute throughout enterprise SCCM hierarchy.
• Maintain the efficient and effective operation of upgrades or migrations by implementing changes as required.
• Troubleshoot user software or hardware problems in line with project tasks policies.
• Perform site‑specific risk mitigation activities as part of change/configuration management to ensure smooth implementation of, and transition to, new system software delivery/packaging and configuration management automation capabilities.
• Create, test, and distribute common operating systems, application packages, scripts, batch programs to provide software delivery/packaging and configuration management of the computing platform environment.
• Occasional travel may be required.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of experience and a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience with a high school diploma or GED (9+ total years).
• In-depth knowledge of:
  • Windows Server Administration: Active Directory, Group Policy, Certificate Management (PKI), DNS, or DHCP.
  • AWS and/or O365 & Azure enterprise environments.
  • One or more of the following: Kubernetes, VMware, Linux, Configuration Management, Automation, and/or Infrastructure as Code.
  • One or more of the following: Server and Storage hardware, Backups, NetApp, Pure Storage, hyperconverged infrastructure, VOIP phone systems
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Specialist qualification in area of expertise: AWS, Azure, Microsoft, etc.
• Juniper or Cisco network switching IPSEC, SSL VPNs, firewalls, etc.
• One or more of the following: Security frameworks / technology: ISO 27001, NIST 800-171, CMMC, CUI
• Fortinet firewall setup, configuration, and management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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 comprehensive benefits package includes 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, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

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)

$108,000 — $140,000 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.