Today
Secret
Mid Level Career (5+ yrs experience)
Engineering - Systems
Tucson, AZ (On-Site/Office)
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.
SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER II - SECRET CLEARANCE
Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
As a Senior Systems Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. To be successful in this role, you must apply engineering best practices to ensure the success of complex missions in pioneering space projects. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!
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, and traceability 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 closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of exquisite 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
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
Active U.S. Government Security 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
Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong 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
A strong knowledge of how 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, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given 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
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 and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members
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
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.
SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER II - SECRET CLEARANCE
Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
As a Senior Systems Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. To be successful in this role, you must apply engineering best practices to ensure the success of complex missions in pioneering space projects. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!
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, and traceability 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 closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of exquisite 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
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
Active U.S. Government Security 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
Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong 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
A strong knowledge of how 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, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given 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
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 and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members
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
group id: 91093496
