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
Behind every rocket and spacecraft we build is a set of software tools that keeps our engineering, manufacturing and corporate teams moving fast. Our Web Services team builds browser-based solutions that make Rocket Lab's operations more efficient. These applications are built on relational databases and REST APIs, both upstream and downstream, within a service-oriented architecture.
Based in Auckland, the Senior Software Engineer - Web Services will design, build and deploy full-stack web applications and machine-to-machine services used across the business. You'll work directly with stakeholders in Engineering, Manufacturing and Corporate functions to understand their needs and turn them into reliable, well-architected software that people rely on every day.
This is a senior role with real influence. You'll approve code reviews and architecture designs, help set the technical standards for the team, facilitate scrum activities, and coach and mentor more junior engineers. You'll also be trusted to step in as deputy for the team lead when needed.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Design and develop web applications end to end, including database schemas, back-end services, front-end applications and web-based user interfaces.
- Build machine-to-machine services and REST APIs that integrate with systems across Rocket Lab.
- Develop software and unit tests for bug fixes and feature requests, and document how to operate the software products you build.
- Review source code merge requests, approve merge requests for Software Assurance Levels B and below, and help set the team's code review standards.
- Facilitate software architecture meetings and approve software architecture designs.
- Approve software requirements and manage trade studies to support technical decisions.
- Refine product backlog items, approve the definition of ready, and help prioritise the backlog.
- Facilitate scrum activities, such as stand-ups, retrospectives and sprint planning, and manage scrum information like velocity and retro minutes.
- Facilitate stakeholder meetings to understand requirements and keep projects aligned with business needs.
- Deploy operational software, support users of deployed software, and deliver training on how to use it.
- Coach and mentor more junior engineers, and help define best practice across the team.
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- A tertiary qualification in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a similar field.
- 5+ years' professional experience in a relevant discipline.
- Strong experience designing and building REST APIs.
- Proficiency in TypeScript/JavaScript development.
- Experience with Node.js.
- Experience with Angular or another front-end framework, such as React or Vue.
- Experience using Linux as a development environment.
- Proficiency in Git.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the judgement to find the right solution, not just a working one.
- A team player with a positive, "How can I help?" attitude. No task is beneath you.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical decisions clearly to engineers and non-technical stakeholders alike.
- The ability to plan and prioritise your own work, deliver on time, and get things right the first time.
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Experience with Docker and/or Kubernetes.
- Experience with network programming, such as sockets and WebSockets.
- Experience with Node.js/npm build systems and tooling.
- Experience with Elasticsearch.
- Experience designing relational database schemas and working with service-oriented architectures.
- Experience facilitating agile or scrum ceremonies, or working as a technical lead.
- Experience mentoring or coaching other engineers.
- An interest in aerospace, manufacturing or similarly complex engineering environments.
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 similar field
- 5+ years of professional experience in a relevant discipline
- Strong experience designing and building REST APIs
- Proficiency in TypeScript and JavaScript development
- Experience with Node.js
- Experience with Angular or another frontend framework such as React or Vue
- Experience using Linux as a development environment
- Proficiency in Git
- Excellent problem-solving skills and technical judgment
- Strong teamwork and communication skills
- Ability to plan, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and deliver quality software
- Experience with Docker and/or Kubernetes
- Experience with network programming, sockets, or WebSockets
- Experience with Node.js/npm build systems and tooling
- Experience with Elasticsearch
- Experience designing relational database schemas and service-oriented architectures
- Experience facilitating Agile or Scrum ceremonies or working as a technical lead
- Experience mentoring or coaching engineers
- Interest in aerospace, manufacturing, or complex engineering environments
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.
