The Senior Space Operations Software Engineer role is responsible for developing Rocket Lab's Photon satellite operations software. This includes developing web applications, databases, and front-end interfaces to support commanding and data handling for Photon satellites. The engineer will work closely with flight software developers and operations teams to understand requirements and solve technical problems for diverse customer missions ranging from LEO to deep space. Key responsibilities include software development, code reviews, facilitating meetings, and ensuring software requirements and documentation are met.

1. © Rocket Lab 2024
Position Description
Title
Senior Space Operations Software
Engineer
Department
Space Systems
NZ
Reporting Line
Team Lead – Spacecraft
Operations
Direct
Reports
None
Location APC Date Finalised July 2023
Position Purpose
Based at Rocket Lab's Auckland Production Complex, New Zealand, the Spacecraft
Operations Software Engineer will support the development of Rocket Lab’s Photon
satellite bus, with an emphasis on operations software.
In this role, you will be working to develop our Space Operations Software that is
responsible for commanding and data handling for all of Photon’s operations in space as
well as the mission software for some customer missions, as a product. This role will
involve developing software to work with various cloud technologies, mission & ground
software, customer APIs, and large databases.
You will help develop software for the operation of space systems and associated ground
infrastructure (such as ground stations, mission control, etc), and develop and evolve
ground-based software architecture for spacecraft operations.
The missions you will work on are very diverse with operations on Rocket Lab's PHOTON
satellite bus for customers with diverse payloads and roles. From LEO on-orbit
manufacturing to deep space/interplanetary missions, LEO constellation operations, to
supporting the commissioning and orbit raising phases to meet our customer’s CONOPS.
You will work closely with flight software developers, Space Operations personnel, AIT
engineers, and systems engineers to understand requirements and functional needs, then
solve hard problems.
You will support the global Spacecraft Operations team that are responsible for
maintaining the health and safety of Rocket Lab’s growing fleet of spacecraft and ensuring
that mission objectives and SLAs are met.
Role Specific Deliverables/Outcomes
Web Applications Software development activities to support:
 Web Application Database Schema Design
 Back-end Web Applications
 Front-end Web Applications
 Web Based User Interfaces
 Machine-to-machine services

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Expectations
Technical
Knowledge
 Able to provide an idea/solution on path forward when faced
with an engineering challenge.
 Able to share knowledge on effectiveness of theories and
concepts.
 Can navigate and complete daily tasks within their technical
system.
 Can interface and read related technical systems outside of their
immediate responsibility.
Documentation  Can create a technical document pertinent to their role/expertise.
 Can approve and provide improvements on technical documents
pertinent to their role/expertise.
Risk Based
Decision Making
 Correctly assesses risk, communicates it and implements
solutions.
 Ensures long-term mitigation is put in place.
Execution and
Ownership
 Assumes ownership for improvements and challenges in their
assigned responsibility.
 Ability to break down tasks, plan, estimate, and cut scope to ship
on time.
Software
Development
Software development activities including:
 Develop software and unit tests according to bug-fix and feature
requests
 Develop documentation for operation of software products
 Participate in review of source code merge requests
 Approve merge requests for Software Assurance Levels B and
below
 Approve code review standards
 Facilitate software architecture meetings
 Approve software architecture designs
 Refine product backlog items
 Approve definition of ready for product backlog items
 Facilitate scrum activities (e.g. stand-up, retrospectives, sprint
planning)
 Assist in prioritization of product backlog items
 Manage scrum activity information (e.g. velocity, retro minutes)
 Keep tickets up-to-date regarding work in progress
 Manage trade-studies
 Approve Software Requirements
 Facilitate stakeholder meetings
 Deliver training on use of software products
 Deploy operational software
 Supports users of deployed software

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 Prioritises in alignment with company goals. Seeks learning
through retrospectives.
 Demonstrates control over their assigned responsibilities by
consistently making the correct priority assessment.
 Colleagues consistently refer to them when they need to get
information on their assigned responsibility.
Best for Business
Solutions
 Able to identify engineering challenges, provide feedback, and
implement a solution to improve cost, quality, reliability, and/or
delivery with problems faced.
 Verifies that solutions are successful and communicates learning
about effectiveness.
Planning  Self-starter; establishes project plans for assigned responsibility,
and executes on time without supervision.
 Raises planning support requests, issues, and blockers on time
and to the correct level.
 Understands and prioritises tasks autonomously.
 Self-regulates task jumping between projects to avoid
inefficiency.
Attitude  Does not require coaching on appropriate professional
behaviour.
 Positive attitude and approachable.
 Consistently demonstrates "How can I help?" mentality.
 No task is beneath them.
 Sees challenges as motivation; does not get discouraged or
demotivated by tough situations and problems.
Communication  Communicates with peers and subordinates with appropriate use
of mediums (email, tickets, meetings) to achieve timely
resolution or escalates to proper levels.
 Does not require coaching on when and how to communicate.
 Challenges respectfully and listens when required.
 Listens and communicates when wrong.
 Can effectively set meeting agendas, run meetings, and ensure
actions are completed on time.
 Can create presentations, metrics, and emails that concisely
highlight information and steer action on resolution for tasks and
projects.
Cross Functional
Support
 Volunteers to support tasks and projects for other groups and
teammates.
 Capable of training others in responsible area.
 Can be deputy for a group with supervision and training for a
limited timeframe.
Debate and
Logical Skills
 Can listen and internalize all sides of the discussion.
 Offers additional information, viewpoints, and insight during
discussions.
 Uses logical reasoning to progress debates.
 Willing to listen and change beliefs.

4. © Rocket Lab 2024
Training &
Development
 Able to create training packages in area of responsibility.
 Completes assigned training.
 Seeks leadership support to ensure they are appropriately
trained.
Professionalism  Punctual;
 Adheres to company policies and standards;
 Seeks out coaching on behaviours in professional settings.
Health and Safety  Ensures health and safety policies and standard operating
procedures are followed;
 Correct PPE is worn in designated areas;
 Reports near-misses and incidents promptly.
Other  Domestic and international travel may be required;
 Additional duties as reasonably required;
 Adheres to company policies and procedures.
Skills and Experience
Essential  Tertiary qualification in Software Engineering, Computer Science,
Electrical Engineering or similar.
 Minimum of 2 years professional experience within a relevant
discipline
 Excellent problem-solving skills
 Team player with a positive attitude
 Technical experience
 REST API’s and web-based applications
 Python
 Typescript/JavaScript
 Angular or other Frontend framework (React, Vue, etc)
Desirable  Space Operations ground SW development experience
 Experience with docker/kubernetes/helm
 Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) and
infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform)
 Python web experience (FastAPI or equivalent)
 Nodejs/NPM ecosystem
 Time series database
 Experience working in a scrum / agile environment.
 Network programming (Sockets/WebSockets) and linux system