Senior Systems Engineer I Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more. Our Electron rocket has delivered over 230 satellites to orbit. We are developing Neutron, a medium-lift reusable launch vehicle. Our Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.
Space Systems Division
The Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has enabled over 1,700 missions including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
You will join our systems engineering team based in Long Beach, CA, supporting our Space Systems division on cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. You will be responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process. You will work hands-on with flight hardware and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions.
What You'll Do
- Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance
- Develop and maintain system requirements and verification techniques
- Develop and maintain simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
- Develop and maintain test methods and data analysis
- Lead and own technical development of spacecraft missions
- Assist with program and product management
- Develop interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents in collaboration with team members
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 5+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry
- Experience supporting satellite or spacecraft development programs
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's or PhD in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems including attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal control
- Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK
- Experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORS
- Experience with satellite operations
- Experience with testing electrical subsystems and assemblies, thermal vacuum or random vibration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing
- Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range (CA only): $130,000 to $170,000 USD. Salary determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Benefits include: medical HMO, PPO, and 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option; dental and vision coverage; 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year; 11 paid holidays per year; flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts; paid parental leave; disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with company match; discounted employee stock purchase program; subsidized EV charging stations; onsite gym; food and drinks; and other discounts. Company equity also available. Eligibility varies by employment status.
Work Environment
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.