Full-Time

Ground Systems Engineer 2/Senior

Automation Controls

Posted on 9/4/2025

Rocket Lab USA

Rocket Lab USA

1,001-5,000 employees

Launch services, spacecraft, and on-orbit solutions

No salary listed

Mississippi, USA

In Person

Travel approximately 10% domestically.

Category
Electrical Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Git
Data Analysis
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or equivalent qualification
  • 2+ years of demonstrated experience developing software
  • Hands-on experience with data processing systems
  • Proficiency in Git and working with issue trackers
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or equivalent qualification
  • 5+ years of demonstrated experience developing software
  • Hands-on experience with data processing systems
  • Proficiency in Git and working with issue trackers
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent qualification
  • 8+ years of demonstrated experience developing software
  • Hands-on experience with data processing systems
  • Proficiency in Git and working with issue trackers
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
  • Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
  • Must be physically able to commute to buildings
  • Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.
  • Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
  • Position requires approximately 10% domestic travel to support test and launch campaigns
Responsibilities
  • Support propulsion engineers and test operators to troubleshoot software issues across all systems at the test site, including but not limited to cloud-based data processing services, site and engine data interfaces, and operator consoles.
  • Collaborate with IT, Ground Systems Instrumentation & Control, and terrestrial and vehicle software teams to deploy and commission test site software systems.
  • Support the certification of test pad systems by producing documentation, operator manuals, maintenance procedures, test procedures, and work instructions.
  • Develop and execute test plans to validate the performance of ground software systems and engine interfaces.
  • Perform post-test data analysis and reporting.
  • Be point of contact for any software-related requests on site, implementing changes yourself or escalating to development teams as required.
  • Support test operators remotely or in person during installation, commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting activities.
  • Developing and troubleshooting PLC programs for automating test operations
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with programming languages such as C++, Python, Go, C#, XAML
  • Experience with object-oriented programming
  • Requirements-driven software design
  • Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT and IEC 61131-3 PLC languages
  • Experience with Kubernetes & Docker
  • Proficiency working with the Linux command line and TeamCity

Rocket Lab provides end-to-end space services, including designing and manufacturing space hardware, launch services, satellites, and on-orbit management solutions. Its Electron rocket carries small satellites into orbit, Photon is a satellite platform for payloads, and Neutron is a larger launcher in development. It stands out through a proven mission track record, frequent launches, multiple launch sites, and an integrated suite of rockets, satellite platforms, and on-orbit services. The goal is to make space access faster, easier, and more affordable for governments and commercial customers across national security, science, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Long Beach, California

Founded

2006

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q1 2026 revenue hit $200.3M, up 63.5% YoY, guiding Q2 to $225-240M.
  • Signed 31 Electron/HASTE and 5 Neutron contracts in Q1, exceeding 2025 total.
  • Meta partnership develops orbital solar power satellites for data centers.

What critics are saying

  • Neutron debut delays past 2026 from Archimedes engine failures at Stennis.
  • Mynaric integration drops GAAP margins below 30% within 3-6 months.
  • Relativity's Terran R undercuts Neutron pricing, stealing hypersonic contracts in 12 months.

What makes Rocket Lab USA unique

  • Electron completed 8 launches in 2026, targeting 100th launch this year.
  • HASTE comprises one-third of $2.2B backlog with Anduril's $30M contract.
  • Acquired Mynaric and Motiv Space Systems for laser comms and Mars robotics.

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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

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

1%
Yahoo Finance
Apr 14th, 2026
Rocket Lab unveils Gauss electric thruster with 200+ units/year production capacity

Rocket Lab has introduced Gauss, a new electric satellite thruster designed for high-volume production to meet growing demand from commercial and national security constellations. The company has established a production line capable of manufacturing over 200 thrusters annually. The in-house designed system includes a Hall Thruster, Power Processing Unit and Propellant Management Assembly. Gauss delivers higher specific impulse than traditional chemical propulsion, enabling more thrust per unit of propellant whilst requiring less fuel onboard. Founded by Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab aims to address supply chain constraints that have historically plagued electric propulsion production. The thruster is suited for prolonged missions including deep space exploration and satellite station-keeping. Gauss joins Rocket Lab's existing propulsion systems, including the Rutherford, Archimedes and Curie engines.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 9th, 2026
Rocket Lab wins $391K NASA Mars study, eyes $700M comms network contract

Rocket Lab has won a $390,936 NASA study contract for Mars telecommunications architecture and is competing for a $700 million programme to build a dedicated communications network supporting sample returns and crewed Mars missions through 2035. The company was the sole awardee of the study contract. NASA's ageing Mars relay satellites struggle with growing data traffic, making the Mars Telecommunications Network critical infrastructure. Rocket Lab has proposed its Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, a laser communication satellite in aerosynchronous orbit. The company's delivery of twin ESCAPADE orbiters currently operating at Mars strengthens its bid against competitors including SpaceX, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman. The award decision is expected by September, with a 2028 launch deadline. Rocket Lab's 2025 revenue reached $602 million, up 38%, with backlog exceeding $2 billion.

MB News
Apr 8th, 2026
Rocket Lab completes $474M equity offering, with up to $642M total via forward transactions

Rocket Lab has completed its at-the-market equity offering programme, raising approximately $474 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 6.73 million shares. The company had filed to offer up to $1 billion in common stock on 17 March 2026. Additionally, Rocket Lab entered into collared forward transactions involving 7.45 million shares, with expected proceeds between $474 million and $642 million. These transactions are scheduled to mature in April 2028, with actual proceeds depending on settlement terms and pricing conditions. The global launch services and space systems provider intends to use the net proceeds to fund future growth, including potential acquisitions, and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 4th, 2026
Rocket Lab wins $1B+ defence contracts and 38% margin as SpaceX IPO fever spreads

Rocket Lab has posted record full-year 2025 revenue of $602 million, up 38%, with GAAP gross margins reaching 38% and backlog expanding 73% to $1.85 billion. The company recently secured regulatory approval to acquire Mynaric for laser communications and won defence contracts exceeding $1 billion, including an $816 million prime contract for missile-warning satellites. SpaceX's confidential IPO filing at a targeted $1.75 trillion valuation has lifted space sector stocks broadly. However, Rocket Lab stands out as the only publicly traded company with vertical integration spanning launch services, spacecraft production and communications hardware. Fourth-quarter revenue reached $180 million, exceeding consensus estimates of $178 million. The company's Electron rocket has completed nearly three dozen successful missions, whilst Space Systems contributed $402.8 million, representing 67% of total revenue.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 1st, 2026
Rocket Lab's $1.85B backlog meets execution risks as Neutron launch slips to Q4 2026

Rocket Lab has secured strong government demand and a $1.85 billion backlog, with management expecting 37% to convert within 12 months. The company flew three HASTE hypersonic missions in 2025 and won an SDA Tranche III Tracking Layer prime contract in the fourth quarter, adding multi-year visibility. However, execution risks persist. The first Neutron launch has been delayed to the fourth quarter of 2026 following a January tank rupture. Space Systems generated $402.8 million, or 66.9% of total revenue in 2025, but the revenue mix is compressing margins. Management guided first-quarter 2026 GAAP gross margin to 34-36%. Early Neutron flights are expected to carry low or negative gross margins, extending the period where losses remain likely despite long-term growth potential.

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