Software Engineer II - MES

Rocket Lab Corporation · Long Beach, CA

  • Junior
  • Full-time
  • $112,475 – $158,425
  • Posted 2026-06-02
  • Confirmed live on 25 September 2026

Apply at Rocket Lab Corporation

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions

SOFTWARE ENGINEER II - MES

Based at Rocket Lab's Engine Development Center in Long Beach, CA the Software Engineer II – MES will collaborate with teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Technicians, and Operations to develop full-stack software solutions that are used to improve the efficiency of critical Rocket Lab operations. This role focuses on the in-house Manufacturing Execution System (MES) platform, as well as tools that integrate with the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and related products.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Work on applications that utilize relational databases and REST APIs within service-oriented architecture, ensuring seamless upstream and downstream interactions

• Design and develop database schemas, back-end and front-end web applications, user interfaces, and machine-to-machine services

• Write software and unit tests, maintain documentation, and review and approve source code merge requests

• Apply engineering concepts and theories to solve challenges, execute provided solutions, and navigate daily tasks within your technical system

• Create, review, and approve technical documents relevant to your expertise, while supporting peers and cross-functional teams

• Independently plan and execute tasks, ensuring priorities are understood

• Collaborate with other teams and support tasks or projects as needed, ensuring alignment with leadership and team goals

• Lead demonstrations of software products, deliver training, and deploy and support operational software systems

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree or diploma in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or other technical discipline

• 2+ years of professional software development experience

• Proficiency in statically typed programming languages (e.g., C#)

• Experience with modern TypeScript frameworks (e.g., Angular)

• Strong knowledge of relational databases and REST APIs

• US citizenship is required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with manufacturing and aerospace industries

• Familiarity with AWS and other cloud providers

• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes

• Knowledge of Elasticsearch

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determ

Prepare for the interview

Nothing collected for this employer yet. The Blind 75 is what technical screens draw from; practise it here, with a coach, in Java or Python.

More at Rocket Lab Corporation

More like this

All open software jobs