Senior Software Engineer I

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top tier medical plans

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Onsite gym

Paid vacation and sick leave

Discounted employee stock purchase program

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Software Engineer I to develop and maintain data infrastructure that supports operations and mission success. Located in Long Beach, CA, you will design and build core data platforms, collaborating with various teams to enhance data processing capabilities.

The role requires strong backend software engineering experience, particularly in Python and data pipelines, along with a degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years of experience. A robust benefits package and competitive salary ranging from $132,000 to $160,000 USD are offered.

Qualifications

• Strong backend software engineering experience and a solid grasp of data pipelines.
• 5+ years of professional experience in software engineering or related discipline.
• Experience deploying services at scale with strong Git skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy tools for operational data access across Rocket Lab.
• Collaborate with teams to deliver scalable infrastructure solutions.
• Own services end-to-end from architecture through production support.

Skills

Python development

Backend architecture

Git skills

Kubernetes

REST APIs

Education

Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering

Tools

Jira

CI/CD

Containerization tools

Job description

Senior Software Engineer I

At Rocket Lab, operational data drives everything from production acceptance to mission success. The Data Engineering team builds the foundational infrastructure, platforms, and tools that make this possible, providing long‑term storage, data management, discovery, and access for data across all verticals. Our platforms enable data processing and automation at scale, while our applications and services provide the visualization and reporting capabilities that engineers rely on throughout the product lifecycle.

We're seeking a Senior Software Engineer to help us build and scale the data infrastructure that powers Rocket Lab's operations.

Based onsite at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you'll design, build, and maintain core data platforms and services that enable engineers across the company to access and work with operational data. You'll collaborate with teams across development, testing, production, and mission operations to build robust, scalable solutions—from data pipelines and storage systems to APIs and processing platforms. Your work will directly impact our ability to validate hardware, execute missions, and improve performance across all Rocket Lab verticals.

What you’ll get to do:

• Design, build, and deploy tools and services that power operational data access across Rocket Lab
• Collaborate with engineering teams across multiple verticals and time zones to understand data requirements and deliver scalable infrastructure solutions
• Develop and maintain apps, services, and platforms that can scale with the business’s needs
• Build automation and tools that enable engineers to discover, access, and work with operational data efficiently
• Own services end-to-end—from architecture and development through deployment and production support

You’ll bring these qualifications:

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring strong backend software engineering experience, a solid grasp of data pipelines, and a passion for building scalable, reliable systems. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A degree or diploma in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• At least 5 years of professional experience in software engineering or a related discipline
• Expertise in Python development and a deep understanding of backend architecture
• Experience deploying services at scale, and familiarity with CI/CD and containerization
• Strong Git skills for version control and collaboration
• Experience with Kubernetes or similar orchestration tools for managing containerized applications
• Hands‑on experience designing and developing REST APIs
• Familiarity with issue tracking tools like Jira or Redmine

These qualifications would be nice to have:

• Proficiency with common data analysis libraries/tools (e.g., Pandas, NumPy), and building ETL pipelines
• Experience in data visualization, data science and numerical analysis techniques
• Familiarity with agile development practices
• Database knowledge (SQL)
• Experience with web and user interface development

Physical requirements: 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.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$132,000 — $160,000 USD

Benefits

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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.

Eligibility Requirements for US Offices

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the ITAR, Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. 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.

Eligibility Requirements for New Zealand Offices

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 U.S. 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.