Senior Ground Software Engineer 1
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in engineering or another technical discipline is required.
- At least 5 years of relevant professional software development experience is required.
- A proven track record of architecting web-based software systems at scale is required.
- Strong systems-level thinking and the ability to balance technical trade-offs across performance, security, and maintainability are required.
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
- An active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one is required.
- Own major parts of the architecture and evolve web-based ground software platforms for spacecraft operations.
- Partner with flight software developers, mission operations personnel, and systems engineers to translate mission needs into scalable ground system designs.
- Deploy, configure, and optimize the Ground Data System for diverse mission profiles.
- Establish monitoring, alerting, and reliability frameworks to proactively detect and mitigate issues.
- Provide technical direction and architectural guidance to ensure mission resilience, system integration, and long-term maintainability.
- Advise leadership on ground software strategy, risk areas, and emerging technologies.
- Active TS clearance.
- Full-stack development experience, including backend development with Python, Golang, and/or Rust; frontend development with TypeScript and Angular; and databases such as InfluxDB or PostgreSQL, or equivalent.
- Experience with end-to-end testing frameworks such as Playwright.
- Aerospace experience supporting satellite, spacecraft, constellation, or launch vehicle ground or mission operations.
- Experience designing with Python web frameworks such as FastAPI or equivalent.
- Deep knowledge of microservice architectures and distributed systems.
- Demonstrated leadership in end-to-end system design and delivery with engineering teams.
- Ability to produce clear, well-structured, and well-documented software designs.
- Familiarity with database architecture, schema design, and optimization.
- Expertise in Git-based workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and Kubernetes orchestration.
- Understanding of modern authentication and authorization frameworks such as OAuth.
- Knowledge of CCSDS standards, including Space Packet Protocol, COP-1, and CFD.
About the company
Rocket Lab USA provides end-to-end space services including launch, spacecraft components, and mission support for government, defense, and commercial customers. Its Electron small-lift launcher delivers dedicated missions for small satellites, using carbon composite structures and 3D-printed Rutherford engines for high launch frequency. The Space Systems unit makes spacecraft components and the Photon satellite bus, and the company is developing Neutron for larger constellations and interplanetary missions, as well as HASTE for hypersonic tech tests. By combining in-house launch and hardware with strategic acquisitions, Rocket Lab offers integrated mission solutions to reduce risk and complexity, aiming to make space missions faster, more reliable, and more accessible.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Long Beach, California
Founded
2006
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 revenue hit $234 million, while backlog reached a record $2.36 billion.
- Iridium shareholders approved Rocket Lab’s $8 billion deal on September 24, 2026.
- Rocket Lab launched its 96th Electron mission on September 19 and booked 15 more Synspective flights.
What critics are saying
- Neutron still targets Q4 2026 pad delivery after a stage-1 tank test failure.
- The August 2026 equity raise added 29.3 million shares, diluting existing holders.
- GAO’s December 2026 ruling on Blue Origin’s Mars award threatens Rocket Lab’s Mars ambitions.
What makes Rocket Lab USA unique
- Electron logged 96 flights by September 19, 2026, with 100% Synspective success.
- Rocket Lab sells launch, spacecraft, and components together; Space Systems drives recurring revenue.
- Neutron pairs reusable launch with Flatellite and Kepler bookings before its first flight.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Paid Parental Leave
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Flexible Spending Account
Company Equity
Wellness Program
Phone/Internet Stipend
Childcare Support
Gym Membership
Employee Discounts
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Professional Development Budget
Conference Attendance Budget
Flexible Work Hours
Hybrid Work Options
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↓ -2%2 year growth
↓ -1%Rocket Lab has formally protested NASA's decision to award a $700 million Mars Telecommunications Network contract to Blue Origin, calling the agency's selection "punitive" and "inconsistent" with congressional eligibility criteria. Blue Origin won the contract to deliver a Mars Telecommunications Orbiter by 31 December 2028, based on its Blue Ring spacecraft platform. The company argues NASA's selection process was rigorous and the award was deserved. The Government Accountability Office now has 100 days to review the protest. If it rules against Rocket Lab, the company could escalate to federal court, potentially delaying the mission beyond the 2028 launch window. Meanwhile, Iridium Communications shareholders approved Rocket Lab's $8 billion acquisition on 24 September. Once closed, the merger will add $884 million in annual revenue to Rocket Lab's existing $769 million, making it instantly profitable.
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) stock price could surpass $100 before 2029, analyst predicts. Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ: RKLB) has a credible path back to triple-digit territory within the next two years, according to a recent analysis by Motley Fool contributor Daniel Sparks. Rocket Lab stock closed above $100 as recently as early July, meaning a return to that level would represent a rebound rather than uncharted ground for investors. The stock currently trades around $74, meaning the projected move to $100 would represent a gain of approximately 35%, or roughly 14% annually over just over two years. The company's backlog reached a record $2.36 billion at midyear, up 137% year over year, signaling that a substantial portion of future revenue is already under contract. Rocket Lab began August with around 598 million common shares outstanding, with a September share sale adding another 29.3 million shares to that count. An additional 41 million or so preferred shares can convert to common stock, further influencing the total share count and any valuation calculation. Iridium shareholders are also set to receive a portion of their acquisition payment in Rocket Lab stock when the deal closes, which the two companies expect to occur in mid-2027. Taken together, these factors bring the total share count to approximately 700 million, placing Rocket Lab's market value near $70 billion at the $100 price level, compared to roughly $49 billion today. The market previously valued Rocket Lab at $151 per share as recently as late May, demonstrating that investors have already shown willingness to price in aggressive long-term growth expectations. However, Sparks identifies several conditions that still need to go right, noting that the company's larger reusable rocket, Neutron, has not yet flown, the Iridium deal has not yet closed, and the company continues to post losses. Despite his bullish long-term outlook, Sparks stopped short of issuing a buy recommendation, stating that today's price around $74 already prices in years of successful execution. The analysis underscores a broader tension in high-growth space stocks, where strong order backlogs and ambitious development timelines must be weighed carefully against ongoing cash burn and execution risk.
Rocket Lab shares have dropped 51% from their 52-week high of $151, but analyst Pierre Ferragu of New Street Research has set a Street-high price target of $150, implying roughly 104% upside. The stock currently trades at $73.61, with a consensus Wall Street target of $109.37. The decline stems from delays to Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket, which saw its launch window narrow after a stage-1 tank test failure. Delivery to the pad is now targeted for Q4 2026. The company also pulled $1.08 billion through its ATM programme in Q2, raising dilution concerns. Ferragu's bullish thesis centres on Neutron commercialisation at $50 to $55 million per flight, growing government contracts including a $397 million Space Force award, and the pending Iridium Communications acquisition. Rocket Lab maintains a $2.36 billion backlog.
Global government bond yields near 4% are reshaping investor thinking about risk and resilience, drawing attention to aerospace and defence suppliers at the intersection of security priorities and long-term government spending. General Electric, now focused as GE Aerospace, generates the bulk of its revenue from Commercial Engines & Services at about US$37.7 billion, with Defense & Propulsion Technologies adding roughly US$11.5 billion. The business carries a market value near US$331.2 billion. Its defence backlog stands above US$30 billion, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.7x. Rocket Lab combines launch services with satellite hardware, generating about US$544 million from Space Systems and roughly US$225 million from Launch Services. The company carries a market value near US$42.1 billion.
Rocket Lab holds $2.4 billion in cash and has booked a $2.36 billion order book, yet trades at 58.9 times sales compared to the S&P 500's 3.1 times. The company's market valuation of $45.3 billion appears to hinge on Neutron, its larger rocket that hasn't yet flown. The company has flown 96 Electron missions, its smaller rocket. Neutron is priced at $50 million to $55 million per launch and has already secured customers, including Kepler Communications. Launch Services generated roughly $200 million over the past twelve months, representing 26% of total revenue. Space Systems, the satellite-building division, accounts for the larger portion. About four Neutron launches annually would match current launch revenue. The company burned $110.1 million in cash during Q2 whilst narrowing operating losses to 29% of revenue from 69% three years ago. The stock has declined 24% over three months.