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Rocket Lab Corporation · Pasadena, CA · posted yesterday
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 10/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
| Employer | Rocket Lab Corporation |
|---|---|
| Location | Pasadena, California |
| Field | Technology › Software engineering |
| Level | not stated |
| Source category | 5557 RMC - Systems Engineering |
| Posted | 2026-11-09 (yesterday) |
| Work arrangement | On-site at the location listed |
| Pay | Not published in the source listing |
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 I - ROBOTICS
Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Software Engineer I - Robotics will develop software for robotic platforms, motion-control systems, sensing systems, machine interfaces, test systems, and production support tools. This role is hands-on and works closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, test, quality, and operations teams to turn robotics concepts into reliable working systems.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on software engineer with strong robotics or hardware-integrated software experience, sound software engineering fundamentals, and the ability to develop reliable software in a fast-paced hardware development environment. You will support design, implementation, simulation, hardware bring-up, integration, test, deployment, troubleshooting, and production support for robotic systems.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS :
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
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.
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 determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base Pay Range (CA Only)$123,000—$140,000 USDWHAT 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.
Field: Technology Sub-niche: Software engineering All jobs at Rocket Lab Corporation Jobs in California Jobs in Pasadena, CA Pasadena city guide California state guide Los Angeles County economy
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This is a — role in the Technology field (Software engineering) at Rocket Lab Corporation.
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Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set; set your own state tax rate. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
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The job is in Pasadena, CA. Below is what the official statistics say about living and working there.
How Pasadena compares. Among the 145 largest places in California, Pasadena is #45 by population, #128 for homeownership (#1 = highest), #28 for remote work (#1 = most), #29 for college degrees (#1 = most). Its county, Los Angeles County, is #7 of 58 counties for average pay ($83,554).
Pasadena has 136,969 residents (ACS 2020–2024), about 0.3% of the population of California. It covers 23 square miles of land, which works out to roughly 5,966 people per square mile. The median age is 40.1, 6% older than the state median (40.1 against 37.9).
The median gross rent is $2,265 a month (rent plus utilities), 11% above the state median ($2,265 against $2,036). Over a year that is 25.8% of the median household income. US housing guidance treats housing as affordable when it takes 30% of income or less, so the typical household is under that line. The median home value is $1,093,300, which is 10.4 times the median household income ($105,192); a ratio above 5 usually means buying is out of reach without savings or a second income. 42.5% of households own their home, 24% below the state average (42.5% against 55.9%). A low ownership share points to a rental-heavy market with more apartments and shorter stays.
The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area has 6,271,560 jobs in the BLS wage survey, and the median pay across all occupations is $55,850 a year, 10% above the national median ($55,850 against $50,980). The biggest occupation groups are office and administrative support (702,480 jobs, median $52,710); food preparation and serving related (588,660 jobs, median $38,460); healthcare support (537,460 jobs, median $35,630). The area is most specialised in arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media (2.2 times) and healthcare support (1.7 times), where the share of workers is well above the national share. The best-paying groups with at least 5,000 jobs are management ($136,490) and legal ($128,110). In 2026M09 the unemployment rate of Los Angeles County was 4.5%. 67.4% of residents aged 16 and over are in the labour force. The city lies in Los Angeles County; its jobs, pay by industry and GDP are on the county page.
Among workers, 55.5% drive alone, 3.8% use public transit, 4.2% walk, 27.6% work from home. 18.3% of workers commute 45 minutes or more, 6% below the state average (18.3% against 19.4%). Remote work is more common than in the state as a whole, which widens the set of employers a resident can work for without moving.
56.1% of adults aged 25 and over hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 51% above the state share (56.1% against 37.1%). 28.2% of residents were born outside the United States, 5% above the state share (28.2% against 27.0%). The poverty rate is 13.3%, 11% above the state rate (13.3% against 12.0%).
The warmest month is Aug, averaging 75°F (23.9°C), and the coolest is Dec at 53°F (11.8°C). About 332 mm (13 inches) of precipitation falls in a year; Feb is the wettest month (75 mm) and Jun the driest (1 mm). These values come from NASA satellite-based climatology on a grid of about 50 km, so they describe the wider area, not a weather station in the city.
Closest cities in this guide: Alhambra (5 miles, rent 14% lower); Glendale (6 miles, rent 4% lower); El Monte (9 miles, rent 23% lower); East Los Angeles (9 miles, rent 34% lower). Rent differences are against Pasadena; use the Compare tab to put any two cities side by side.
Full guide to Pasadena →California guideAll jobs in Pasadena
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A private-sector role in technology (software engineering) listed yesterday. The full description is on this page and on the employer's page.
Pasadena, CA.
Use the "View this job and apply on the employer's page" button. AtiveSite does not receive applications.
The listing does not publish pay, and we could not match the title to one official occupation.
Median rent in Pasadena is $2,265 a month and median household income $105,192 (ACS 2020–2024).
It was posted on 2026-11-09 (yesterday). Jobs older than 90 days are not shown.
Yes: browse software engineering jobs in California.
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