IT Systems Engineer - Launch (Linux)
Rocket Lab
Salary undisclosed
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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.
IT
Rocket Lab’s IT team is responsible for how our global teams access information and run operations across our computer systems, networks, and devices. Our hardworking IT team is a group of flexible problem-solvers working in a fast-paced environment but who also thrive under the challenge of supporting all of our proprietary systems and people, from finance to launch operations.
IT SYSTEMS ENGINEER – LAUNCH (LINUX)
Located onsite at our Auckland New Zealand Facility, the IT Systems Engineer will deliver day-to-day IT support and advanced technical expertise to Rocket Lab engineers while contributing to infrastructure implementations and projects across the organization. Join our IT team in maintaining the global IT infrastructure that empowers mission success through highly reliable and available systems.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
- Resolve complex technical issues across network infrastructure, systems, and integrations requiring escalated troubleshooting and analysis
- Deliver subject matter expertise and technical guidance to ensure optimal performance and availability of critical IT systems
- Drive upgrade and maintenance initiatives with a focus on continuous improvement, reliability, and security
- Implement and champion IT infrastructure standards for deployment and management across Space Systems environments
- Participate in an on-call rotation supporting 24/7/365 Launch Mission Operations
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, deploy, and optimize infrastructure solutions that meet organizational needs
- Implement and champion IT infrastructure standards for the deployment and management of Launch environments to ensure:
- Compliance with Rocket Lab Policies
- Compliance with cybersecurity policies, standards, and procedures
- Simplified and consistent environment management practises
- Automated build and maintenance processes
- Improvements to increase reliability of systems
- System High Availability and Disaster Recovery
- Clear and concise reporting on usage, uptime, support levels, etc
- Comprehensive documentation of environments and support
- Efficient cost control
- Work with a team of world class IT, engineering, and business professionals
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years of experience in IT and a bachelors degree or equivalent years of experience (9+ years of work experience)
- 2+ years of experience in a Linux or DevOps focused technology role
- Hands-on experience with the deployment of Linux OS in physical or virtualized environments
- Experience with Enterprise Linux OS architecture and administration
- Proficient in the setup, configuration, upgrade, management, and troubleshooting of Linux-based and open-source systems and technologies such as Apache, BIND, HAProxy, NGINX, sendmail/postfix, iptables, etc.
- Experience with configuration management (Ansible, Puppet), provisioning, infrastructure as code, and other DevOps concepts and tools (i.e. Docker, Kubernetes)
- Understanding of networking concepts including network security, network architecture design, technical standards and deliverables, troubleshooting tools
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Specialist qualifications in area of expertise: Linux, CCNA, AWS, Microsoft, Azure, etc.
- Experience with mass deployment of devices or IaC
- Experience with Python, Shell, Bash, and/or other languages
- Networking experience in IPv4, switching, routing, firewalls and HA architecture
- Experience with Promethius, Grafana, InfluxDB
- Advanced problem solving and analytical skills – able to see the big picture, make connections and appropriate decisions
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.
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.
About this role
Supporting Rocket Lab's mission-critical operations from the Auckland facility, this role sits at the intersection of infrastructure engineering and launch operations support. You'd handle complex technical troubleshooting across networks and systems while maintaining the Linux-based infrastructure that keeps launch teams operational around the clock. The position blends hands-on problem-solving with strategic infrastructure work—implementing standards, driving upgrades, and designing solutions that balance reliability, security, and cost efficiency across the organization's Space Systems environments.
The ideal candidate brings at least five years of IT experience with a strong Linux and DevOps foundation, demonstrated through hands-on deployment, enterprise OS administration, and proficiency with tools like Ansible, Docker, and Kubernetes. You'll need solid networking knowledge and the ability to troubleshoot complex issues across physical and virtualized environments. Experience with infrastructure-as-code, configuration management, and monitoring tools like Prometheus or Grafana strengthens your candidacy, as does any background in Python, shell scripting, or cloud platforms.
This is a demanding role in a fast-paced aerospace environment. You'll participate in 24/7 on-call rotations supporting launch operations, work to tight deadlines, and collaborate across engineering and business teams. The work requires both technical depth and the flexibility to support diverse systems and users across a global organization.
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