Job brief: Principal Network Software Engineer - TS/SCI

What JoRoute checked · Checked by JoRoute

• Listed on Rocket Lab's own job board. JoRoute does not take listings from job ads or recruiters.
• First seen by JoRoute 2026-11-04 (4 days ago); last confirmed on the board 2026-11-07.
• The apply link opens job-boards.greenhouse.io, the address Rocket Lab's board gives for this job.
• No other listing with this title and place on this board in the last 90 days.
• No layoff notices (WARN) under this name in the state files JoRoute reads.

What the listing says · Employer's own words, not checked

• Pay: $170,000 to $220,000 a year
• Job type: Not stated
• Where: Littleton, CO · RL Headquarters
• Posted: 2026-02-10 · over 60 days ago

What the job asks · Employer's own words, not checked

Level: Lead / staff. The title says "Principal".

Must have

• Knowledge of secure network systems is a must have, with RF and spacecraft experience being an additional benefit.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, aerospace engineering or similar technical discipline
• 12+ years of relevant work industry experience
• 3+ years of experience with project management and interfacing with external contractors
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• U.S citizenship required due to program requirements

Conditions

• paid vacation , holidays , and sick leave ;

Main duties

• Manage the software development and integration of routers, radios, and laser communication devices on a constellation of spacecraft.
• Manage suppliers and subcontractors to successfully develop and test an integrated system
• Design and develop simulation and test approaches for constellation networking
• Develop and maintain staffing plans with senior leadership
• Plan major integration points and testing between teams

Lines copied from the posting, not rewritten. "Preferred" or "nice to have" items are not listed as must-haves.

How it compares · Compared by JoRoute from listings

• Typical listed pay for software engineer jobs in Colorado: $202k a year (12 listings, 6 employers). This listing pays about the same.
• Across Rocket Lab's 452 open listings, 24% of those with a posting date were first posted more than 60 days ago. How Rocket Lab hires

What nobody outside the employer knows · Not known

• Whether the role is already filled or on hold: employers often leave listings up.
• How many people applied, and who reads the applications.
• Where in the published range an offer would land.

Ask before you apply

1. Is this role still open, and when do you hope to fill it?
2. Which of the listed places is this role based in?
3. What are the interview steps, and when should I expect to hear back?

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Next steps

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• 15 more software engineer jobs within 25 miles, on the job map with pay.
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