Rocket Lab needs a Director of Ground Software to lead the development and execution of their ground software infrastructure, supporting mission-critical space-to-ground communications, ground data infrastructure, mission operations, and spacecraft production.
Requirements
- Expertise in secure ground data systems, with knowledge of RF and network infrastructure.
- Expertise in microservice software development.
- Expertise in time-series and relational databases.
- Expertise in Python and other software languages
- Expertise in Angular and other front-end frameworks
- Deep understanding of spacecraft subsystems, including ADCS, EPS, space-ground communications, and C&DH.
- Strong background in orbital mechanics, orbit determination, space environment modeling, COLA, and rigid body dynamics.
Responsibilities
- Define and execute the strategic roadmap for ground software systems, ensuring scalability, security, performance, and mission reliability.
- Own the architecture and development of end-to-end ground software solutions, including mission control, telemetry processing, data security, spacecraft production software, and RF/network infrastructure.
- Establish and maintain technical budgets, system requirements, and verification techniques to optimize vehicle-ground integration.
- Lead multi-disciplinary teams to develop advanced simulations, analysis tools, and testing methodologies.
- Drive innovation in ground software, ensuring adoption of modern technologies, automation, and secure data handling practices.
- Develop key documentation, including interface specifications, CONOPS, licensing, and design frameworks.
- Partner with program and product management to align software capabilities with mission objectives and company goals.
Other
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in software engineering, computer science, aerospace, electrical, or related engineering discipline.
- 12+ years of experience in aerospace software engineering, including ground systems and mission operations.
- 8+ years of leadership experience, managing teams and complex software programs.
- PhD or advanced degree in a related technical field.
- Must be able to work in a technical and operational environment, including travel as required.
- Ability to collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to drive mission success.
- 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.
- 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.
