Senior Systems Engineer II - Secret Clearance Verified today

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more. Our Electron rocket has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. We are developing Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle. Our Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft selected for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II for our systems engineering team in Long Beach, CA. This role supports our Space Systems division, leading 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 Will 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)
• 8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry
• Experience supporting satellite or spacecraft development programs
• Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, 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): $135,000 to $200,000 USD, determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include company equity, top tier medical HMO and PPO plans with 100% company-sponsored medical HSA 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. Eligibility varies based on employment status.

Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce.

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.