ABOUT ROCKET LAB
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.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Every rocket and spacecraft we build generates huge amounts of data, from manufacturing and test to R&D and day-to-day operations. Our Operational Data team helps Rocket Lab put that data to work. The team sits between data collection and data exploitation and builds the services, tools and pipelines that turn raw data into real value across the business.
Based in Auckland, NZ, the Senior Software Engineer – Data Engineering will design, build and deploy the APIs, services, data pipelines and tools that help teams across Rocket Lab index, retrieve, visualise and act on their data. The role is centred on back-end software engineering, with APIs and services at its core.
This is a senior role with real influence. You'll approve code reviews and architecture designs, help set the team's technical standards, and mentor more junior engineers. You'll also be trusted to step in as deputy for the Data Engineering Team Lead when needed.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Design and develop APIs, services and tools that support data indexing, retrieval, visualisation and process automation.
- Build and maintain data pipelines for engineering and reporting purposes.
- Develop new software and maintain existing software and tooling, ensuring it is well tested and documented to approved standards.
- Review and approve merge requests and software architecture designs, and help set the team's technical standards.
- Develop, review and approve software requirements, and lead trade studies to support technical decisions.
- Refine and prioritise the product backlog, and facilitate agile activities such as stand-ups, retrospectives and sprint planning.
- Work with stakeholders to demonstrate, deploy and support operational software, and train the people who use it.
- Coach and mentor more junior engineers.
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- A tertiary qualification in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a similar field, or a demonstrated equivalent level of knowledge.
- 5+ years' experience in a software engineering discipline.
- Strong Python development experience, including designing and building REST APIs and services.
- Experience with data tools such as Pandas and NumPy, as well as ETL pipelines and SQL.
- Strong database knowledge, including designing and working with relational databases.
- Experience with CI/CD, containerisation, Git and issue trackers such as Jira or Redmine.
- Experience with agile development practices.
- A team player with a positive, "How can I help?" attitude and the judgement to find the right solution, not just a working one.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and ship on time.
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Experience with Kubernetes.
- Experience with data visualisation.
- Experience with data science and numerical analysis techniques.
- Experience with web application and user interface development.
- Experience as a technical lead or mentor to other engineers.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Domestic and international travel may be required.
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.
Important information:
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 [email protected] 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.
Skills Required
- Tertiary qualification in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent knowledge
- At least 5 years of experience in software engineering
- Strong Python development experience, including designing and building REST APIs and services
- Experience with Pandas, NumPy, ETL pipelines, and SQL
- Strong knowledge of relational database design and use
- Experience with CI/CD, containerization, Git, and issue trackers such as Jira or Redmine
- Experience with agile development practices
- Strong communication, planning, prioritization, and delivery skills
- Experience with Kubernetes
- Experience with data visualization
- Experience with data science and numerical analysis techniques
- Experience with web application and user interface development
- Experience as a technical lead or mentor to other engineers
Rocket Lab Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Rocket Lab and has not been reviewed or approved by Rocket Lab.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as robust, with multiple HMO/PPO options and a 100% company‑sponsored HSA plan alongside dental and vision. Company materials and postings also note life and disability insurance and an overall strong medical offering for U.S. roles.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity participation is emphasized through RSUs and a discounted ESPP with a look‑back feature, positioned as a meaningful part of total rewards. Filings and benefits summaries highlight broad accessibility to ownership programs across many roles.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is outlined as a full suite that includes paid vacation, sick time, paid holidays, and paid parental leave. Some locations also feature supportive extras such as a childcare concierge and onsite amenities.
Rocket Lab Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, spacecraft components, satellites and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle and the Photon satellite platform and is developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 100+ satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a second launch site in Virginia, USA which is expected to become operational in late 2022. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.
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