Principal Systems Engineer - Mission Architecture Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions including interplanetary exploration, in-orbit manufacturing, and national security initiatives, with spacecraft and components built for missions to the Moon and Mars in partnership with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
Based in Long Beach, CA, you will lead the formulation of all new satellite systems, supporting capture of civil, national security, and commercial business. You will manage the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall systems engineering processes, including validation of customer requirements. You will support the Vice President of Business Development and Strategy with deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors.
What You Will Do
- Lead Rocket Lab's satellite engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture
- Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance
- Define system requirements and verification techniques
- Create simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
- Develop 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 design documents in collaboration with team members
- Work directly with customers and internal leadership to shape requirements and write core architecture for key proposals
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 12+ years of experience in the aerospace industry
- Experience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programs
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
- US citizenship required due to program requirements
Desired Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Master's or PhD in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- Understanding of spacecraft subsystems: attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal control
- Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
- Highly effective verbal and written communication skills with team and customers
- Previous experience with proposals and technical volume authorship
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK
- Experience with CAD modeling and drawing
- Experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORS
- Experience with satellite operations
- Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities
Compensation
- Base Salary: $173,000 - $260,000 USD
- Total Compensation (base and equity): $281,000 - $339,000 USD
- Company stock as part of total compensation package
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
- Medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero cost HDHP with HSA contribution)
- Dental and vision coverage
- Paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
- Paid parental leave
- Disability and life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships
- Complimentary snacks and beverages, employee merchandise discount, and additional employee discounts
Working Conditions
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.
ITAR and Security 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), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce.