Manager - Neutron Software - IN NEW ZEALAND (Relocation provided)

Company: Rocket Lab Corporation
Location: Long Beach
Posted on: February 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description 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 launch 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, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND WITH RELOCATION PROVIDED. ABOUT ENGINEERING AT ROCKET LAB: Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You'll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more. 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 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. YOU'LL BRING THESE 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++ THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE 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 If the above sounds like you apply now! 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 the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request 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 being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

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