Manager – Neutron Software

Job description

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space.

The rockets and satellites we build, and the launches we perform, enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit.

We are also developing Neutron, a medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment.

Our Space Systems designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and components for NASA missions and other programs.

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

What You'll Get To Do

Neutron is Rocket Lab’s new, medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle currently in development.

The Manager - Neutron Software is the people leader for the Neutron Software team and the technical point of contact for all Neutron software development and deployment activities, which includes vehicle Flight Software, Tooling, and indirect management of terrestrial software and ground systems software sub-teams.

A close working relationship with GNC and HITL teams is also a key dimension of this role.

Leadership responsibilities include oversight and guidance of team members’ individual projects, providing clear feedback during design and review, being pro-active in the career development of staff, and fostering a high-performance culture based on ownership, empowerment, and individual accountability.

The successful candidate will be highly organised, with a bias for forward planning and the ability to deliver a varied work program against challenging milestones, including mediation on business priority, resource and risk.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or demonstrated equivalent level of knowledge
• 5+ years of relevant Software Engineering experience
• 2+ years direct leadership experience including mentorship, career development, and performance management
• 2+ years program or project management experience
• Experience with deployment and CI tooling
• Experience with data processing and data engineering
• Proficiency in Git and working with issue trackers
• Experience with a system language such as C++

Nice To Have

• Experience with highly reliable software systems
• Experience with requirements-driven software design
• Good understanding of GNC principles
• Experience with Machine Learning
• Experience with Bazel

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 ITAR, Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, 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 This resource assists job seekers with disabilities; only messages for this purpose will be considered.

A response 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.

Checks will include nationality checks as eligibility to access equipment and data regulated by ITAR.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or NATO member states.

For more information, click here ITAR Regulations.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Engineering and Information Technology
• Industries: Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Required Skill Profession

Software Development