Job Details

Overview

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable missions across scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate change initiatives, national security, and technology demonstrations.

About The Role

Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for DoD and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. The Senior/Principal Systems Engineer will design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors and apply engineering best practices to ensure success of complex missions. This role is based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. (Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Systems Engineer I, II, or Principal level.)

What You'll Get To Do

• Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
• Define, allocate, and manage technical requirements for space systems
• Ensure traceability of requirements throughout the development process and address potential conflicts or issues
• Lead requirements definition, allocation, traceability, and verification across the development lifecycle
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including system design descriptions, ICDs, CONOPs, and test plans
• Generate technical reports and presentations to communicate findings, progress, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners
• Provide technical management of project requirements, system architecture, system interfaces, mission assurance guidelines, and system compliance
• Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of payloads
• Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification test procedures; analyze data and recommend design refinements
• Lead hardware and software V&V activities to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements
• Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance
• Participate in technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project discussions
• Support the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads; assess and mitigate technical risks
• Mentor other engineers on technical topics and V&V methodologies
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications You'll Bring – Senior Systems Engineer i

• Bachelor's degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 5+ years of engineering experience; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
• CAM and/or IPTL experience
• Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo
• Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools
• Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
• Strong ability to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
• Experience with space environments and testing regimes (vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, corrosion, etc.)
• Excellent task management skills and ability to prioritize tasks and deliver results within constraints
• Knowledge of hardware interfaces and communications protocols
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices

Qualifications You'll Bring – Senior Systems Engineer II

• Bachelor's degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
• Active U.S. Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 8+ years of engineering experience; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
• CAM and/or IPTL experience
• Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo
• Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools
• Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
• Strong ability to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
• Experience with space environments and testing regimes (vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, corrosion, etc.)
• Excellent task management skills and ability to prioritize tasks and deliver results within constraints
• Knowledge of hardware interfaces and communications protocols
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices

Qualifications You'll Bring – Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
• Active U.S. Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 12+ years of engineering experience; with 5+ years directly supporting development projects and 3+ years in project or team leadership
• CAM and/or IPTL experience
• Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo
• Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools
• Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
• Strong ability to interpret organizational, software and hardware technical documents
• Experience with space environments and testing regimes (vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, corrosion, etc.)
• Excellent task management skills and ability to prioritize tasks and deliver results within constraints
• Knowledge of hardware interfaces and communications protocols
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• Current SSBI clearance
• EO/IR payload integration experience
• Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
• Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, including complex formulas, mathematical modeling, and VBA macro creation
• Experience in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams

Additional Requirements

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise

What To Expect

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others deem impossible. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs and rolling up our sleeves on tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and focus on delivering rather than dwelling on challenges.

Important Information

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY: To conform to ITAR, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY: Background checks will be undertaken prior to employment offers. You may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship in eligible countries. For more information on ITAR Regulations, click here.