Manager – Neutron Software

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a fully integrated space company that provides launch services, spacecraft design and production, payloads, satellite parts, and related capabilities, all aimed at expanding access to space. Its rockets and satellites support a wide range of missions, including scientific research, Earth observation, climate-focused work, national security, and technology demonstration programs.

The Electron rocket is now the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket each year and has already placed more than 230 satellites into orbit. In parallel, Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, a reusable medium-lift launch vehicle designed to support larger satellite constellations. The Space Systems division also creates satellites, payloads, and spacecraft components, including hardware chosen for NASA Moon and Mars missions and elements used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

About Neutron

The Neutron team is building Rocket Lab’s new large launch vehicle and the facilities needed to test and launch it. The work spans structural design, component testing, engine development, and launch and test site setup across the United States. This role offers the chance to help bring a large rocket to flight for the first time.

Role Overview

Rocket Lab is seeking a strong leader to own flight software development for Neutron, the company’s reusable rocket program. In this position, you will direct software delivery from Flight 1 through future improvements that strengthen reliability and resilience. You will work closely with GNC, Hardware-in-the-Loop, and ground software teams to ensure systems integrate smoothly and perform as intended. The role also requires building a culture of accountability, ownership, and growth while managing priorities, risks, and resources through demanding milestones.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and rollout of Neutron flight software across the full program lifecycle.
• Oversee software improvements from initial flight through later iterations focused on robustness and reliability.
• Partner with GNC, Hardware-in-the-Loop, and ground software groups to keep interfaces aligned and integrations stable.
• Guide engineers with a leadership style centered on ownership, empowerment, and accountability.
• Manage competing priorities, available resources, and technical risks in a schedule-driven environment.
• Support innovation while helping team members grow in their careers.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or comparable practical expertise.
• At least 5 years of experience in software engineering.
• At least 2 years of direct people leadership, including coaching and career development.
• At least 2 years of project leadership in time-sensitive programs.
• Hands-on experience with software deployment, CI tooling, data processing, and data engineering.
• Strong ability to use Git and issue-tracking tools, along with experience in systems languages such as C++.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on highly dependable software systems and requirements-based design.
• Working knowledge of GNC principles.
• Exposure to Machine Learning and/or Bazel.

What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out

This position is an opportunity to influence how Rocket Lab builds launch vehicle software for the future. Your leadership will directly shape the systems that support Neutron and the success of the program.

Work Environment

Rocket Lab describes its culture as fast-moving, collaborative, and highly committed. The team is expected to work with determination, support one another, stay focused under pressure, and deliver against tight deadlines. The environment values grit, teamwork, humility, and a strong bias toward execution.

Important Information for U.S. Candidates

Applicants considering U.S. offices must meet export-control requirements under ITAR. Depending on the applicable role and authorizations, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or otherwise eligible for the required U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce authorizations.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Rocket Lab is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or harass on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status. These principles apply across hiring, pay, promotion, transfer, leave, termination, training, and all other employment terms.

Accommodation Information

Applicants needing a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process for a U.S.-based role may contact the designated accessibility support contact listed by the employer. Messages should be limited to accommodation requests from candidates with disabilities, and responses may take up to two business days.

Important Information for New Zealand Candidates

For roles based in New Zealand, background checks will be completed before any offer is made. These checks include nationality screening because access to equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations is required. Under these rules, you may be ineligible if you are not a citizen of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or if you hold dual citizenship or another nationality that is not permitted under these controls.

Additional Notes

No salary, bonus, allowance, or other compensation details were stated in the source material. No vacancy count, notice period, or start date was provided.