Software Engineer interview at Rocket Lab: Large take-home assignment followed by long silences

The process started with a recruiter reaching out, and scheduling moved quickly. I had a short phone conversation, then met with a senior software engineer and received a take-home test. I completed it promptly over the weekend and sent it back as requested. After that, everything stalled.

There was no review of the submission and no clear rejection. I kept following up, but I never received a direct, timely explanation. The communication simply faded. At another point, logistics also went sideways around plans that were supposed to include an engineering team conversation before the take-home began. When that didn't happen, I still completed a very large, multi-part assignment. I was later told an interview would be scheduled to discuss my implementation, but it never came.

The ghosting and long quiet periods left a bitter taste, especially after I had put in real effort. The result was no offer, and what stayed with me was how much the uncertainty and disappearing timelines outweighed the technical work itself.

Location: United States. Overall feedback: Negative. Offer status: No offer.